<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE FINANCIAL DATA SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION
EXTRACTED FROM HOUSTON BIOTECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED 10-Q DATED 6-30-96
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1996
<CASH>                                         347,356
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                        0
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               391,356
<PP&E>                                         365,988
<DEPRECIATION>                               2,256,789
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 769,906
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,134,883
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        56,387
<OTHER-SE>                                   (652,746)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   769,906
<SALES>                                        600,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               659,579
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,126,822
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                467,243
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            467,243
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   467,243
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.08)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.08)