
<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
 
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FINANCIAL
DATA FOR THE NINE MONTH PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS,
EXCEPT EARNINGS PER SHARE.
</LEGEND>
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                             126
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      108
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                   869
<PP&E>                                           5,730
<DEPRECIATION>                                     510
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   6,707
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            7,692
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                      2,465
<COMMON>                                            27
<OTHER-SE>                                     (7,428)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     6,707
<SALES>                                            296
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                   296
<CGS>                                               83
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                       83
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 4,153
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 669
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (4,609)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (4,609)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (4,609)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (1.77)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (1.77)
        

</TABLE>
