<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM DECEMBER 31,
1998 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF NEOTHERAPEUTICS, INC. AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FORM 10-K YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1998
<CASH>                                       1,097,341
<SECURITIES>                                 1,769,348
<RECEIVABLES>                                  112,552
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             3,402,463
<PP&E>                                       3,992,047
<DEPRECIATION>                                 740,413
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               6,826,163
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        2,363,925
<BONDS>                                      1,126,174
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                    27,535,329
<OTHER-SE>                                (24,245,573)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 6,826,163
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                     0
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                            11,664,540
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             156,016
<INCOME-PRETAX>                           (11,604,556)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                       (11,604,556)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                              (11,604,556)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (2.07)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (2.07)