  Using optimal matched filtering, we search 25 hours of data from the LIGO
40-meter prototype laser interferometric gravitational-wave detector for
gravitational-wave chirps emitted by coalescing binary systems within our
Galaxy. This is the first test of this filtering technique on real
interferometric data. An upper limit on the rate R of neutron star binary
inspirals in our Galaxy is obtained: with 90% confidence, R< 0.5/hour. Similar
experiments with LIGO interferometers will provide constraints on the
population of tight binary neutron star systems in the Universe.

General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology;Astrophysics