<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE BALANCE
SHEETS AND STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS OF ANERGEN, INC. AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH ANNUAL REPORT FILED ON FORM 10-K.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                                                  
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996             DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996             JAN-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996             DEC-31-1995
<CASH>                                           3,963                     468
<SECURITIES>                                    12,437                  11,024
<RECEIVABLES>                                      320                     815
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0                       0
<INVENTORY>                                          0                       0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                16,928                  12,409
<PP&E>                                           5,973                   5,428
<DEPRECIATION>                                 (4,514)                 (3,418)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  18,423                  14,455
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            2,054                   1,923
<BONDS>                                            366                     818
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                        57,484                  47,359
<OTHER-SE>                                    (41,481)                (35,645)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    18,423                  14,455
<SALES>                                              0                       0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 6,172                   3,534
<CGS>                                                0                       0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   11,799                  10,298
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0                       0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 170                     322
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (5,797)                 (7,086)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0                       0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (5,797)                 (7,086)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (5,797)                 (7,086)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (0.35)                  (0.55)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.35)                  (0.55)