<ARTICLE>                                          5
<LEGEND>
     THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED
FROM THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS INCLUDED IN THE ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM
10-K FOR THE YEAR ENDED 12-31-96 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY
BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK>                                              0000726512
<NAME>                                             SCIOS INC.
<MULTIPLIER>                                                   1,000
       
                                                  
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                      YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                  DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                                     JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                       DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                                         1,587
<SECURITIES>                                                  60,583
<RECEIVABLES>                                                  4,808
<ALLOWANCES>                                                       0
<INVENTORY>                                                        0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                              14,069
<PP&E>                                                        66,263
<DEPRECIATION>                                               (29,424)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                               113,961
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                         19,907
<BONDS>                                                          349
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                              0
<PREFERRED>                                                        0
<COMMON>                                                          37
<OTHER-SE>                                                    93,591
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                 113,961
<SALES>                                                       38,189
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                              64,223
<CGS>                                                         22,313
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                 86,276
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                               3,650
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                   0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                 0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                              (18,403)
<INCOME-TAX>                                                       0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                          (18,403)
<DISCONTINUED>                                                     0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                    0
<CHANGES>                                                          0
<NET-INCOME>                                                 (18,403)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                  (0.51)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                  (0.51)