<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF MOLECULAR BIOSYSTEMS, INC. DATED DECEMBER
31, 1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             APR-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1999
<CASH>                                           1,755
<SECURITIES>                                    10,895
<RECEIVABLES>                                    2,617
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                        331
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                15,852
<PP&E>                                          14,592
<DEPRECIATION>                                   7,382
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  24,939
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            8,479
<BONDS>                                          3,835
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           186
<OTHER-SE>                                      12,439
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    24,939
<SALES>                                            950
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 6,010
<CGS>                                            (346)
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    9,644
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 344
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (3,422)
<INCOME-TAX>                                     (200)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (3,622)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (3,622)
<EPS-BASIC>                                      (.19)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.19)