<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
COMPANY'S YEAR END REPORT ON FORM 10-K, FOR THE TWELVE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000875320
<NAME> VERTEX PHARMACEUTICALS, INCORPORATED
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1999
<CASH>                                          31,548
<SECURITIES>                                   156,254
<RECEIVABLES>                                    5,956
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               195,197
<PP&E>                                          58,831
<DEPRECIATION>                                  34,351
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 232,445
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           18,518
<BONDS>                                              0
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<COMMON>                                           257
<OTHER-SE>                                     208,977
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   232,445
<SALES>                                          8,053
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                61,648
<CGS>                                            2,925
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  102,614
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 654
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (40,966)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (40,966)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (40,966)
<EPS-BASIC>                                     (1.61)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (1.61)