<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE BALANCE SHEETS AND THE STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS OF ALLERGAN LIGAND RETINOID THERAPEUTICS INC. AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE 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> 29,897 <SECURITIES> 20,394 <RECEIVABLES> 0 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 0 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 51,012 <PP&E> 0 <DEPRECIATION> 0 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 51,012 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 4,150 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 3 <OTHER-SE> 46,859 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 51,012 <SALES> 0 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 3,627 <CGS> 0 <TOTAL-COSTS> 0 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 31,726 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0 <INCOME-PRETAX> (29,445) <INCOME-TAX> 0 <INCOME-CONTINUING> (29,445) <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (29,445) <EPS-PRIMARY> (9.06) <EPS-DILUTED> (9.06)