<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS CONTAINED IN THE MOST RECENT QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q OF
RESEARCH FRONTIERS INCORPORATED FOR THE QUARTER ENDING MARCH 31, 1997 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                         863,425
<SECURITIES>                                 6,560,732
<RECEIVABLES>                                  122,533
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             7,601,200
<PP&E>                                         187,806
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               7,852,662
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          170,978
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                    10,175,726
<OTHER-SE>                                           0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 7,852,662
<SALES>                                         50,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               194,711
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  867,741
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              (673,030)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          (673,030)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 (673,030)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (0.07)
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