
<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
 
<ARTICLE> 5
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1998
<CASH>                                       3,432,614
<SECURITIES>                                 2,976,443
<RECEIVABLES>                                5,700,092
<ALLOWANCES>                                   280,000
<INVENTORY>                                  4,767,537
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            17,050,977
<PP&E>                                      20,077,383
<DEPRECIATION>                              13,154,590
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              25,346,314
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        5,635,679
<BONDS>                                      8,163,307
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       233,916
<OTHER-SE>                                  11,131,648
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                25,346,314
<SALES>                                     12,155,526
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            12,155,526
<CGS>                                       11,334,721
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               17,736,570
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               471,897
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               259,506
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             807,411
<INCOME-PRETAX>                           (17,387,662)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                       (17,387,662)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                              (17,387,662)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (0.79)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.79)
        

</TABLE>
