<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE FINANCIAL DATA SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED
FROM HOUSTON BIOTECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED 10Q DATED 9-30-96AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                         163,674
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                        0
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               220,493
<PP&E>                                       2,622,777
<DEPRECIATION>                               2,298,632
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 556,751
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,108,773
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        56,387
<OTHER-SE>                                   (818,698)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   556,751
<SALES>                                        925,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,009,541
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,642,734
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              (633,193)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          (633,193)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 (633,193)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.11)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.11)