<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF COULTER PHARMACEUTICAL, INC. AT DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND
FOR THE YEAR THEN ENDED AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                           8,826
<SECURITIES>                                     2,617
<RECEIVABLES>                                        0
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                16,977
<PP&E>                                             981
<DEPRECIATION>                                      57
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  18,321
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            6,240
<BONDS>                                          1,535
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                     28,355
<COMMON>                                             1
<OTHER-SE>                                    (17,810)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    18,321
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                     0
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                13,681
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (15,338)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (15,338)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (15,338)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (2.03)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0