<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK> 0000889428
<NAME> LIFE MEDICAL SCIENCES, INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1999
<CASH>                                             226
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                       15
<ALLOWANCES>                                         4
<INVENTORY>                                        157
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                   394
<PP&E>                                             192
<DEPRECIATION>                                     115
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                     471
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            1,379
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             9
<OTHER-SE>                                     (1,280)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                       471
<SALES>                                          1,072
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 1,108
<CGS>                                              379
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                      379
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 2,085
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   2
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  (912)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              (912)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     (912)
<EPS-BASIC>                                     (0.11)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.11)