<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK> 0000920465
<NAME> LA JOLLA PHARMACEUTICAL CO.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-2000
<CASH>                                          12,844
<SECURITIES>                                     8,795
<RECEIVABLES>                                        0
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                   422
<PP&E>                                           4,467
<DEPRECIATION>                                 (3,803)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  24,294
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            1,461
<BONDS>                                             22
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                              244
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                      22,567
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    24,294
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                     0
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 3,154
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   3
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (2,877)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (2,877)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (2,877)
<EPS-BASIC>                                     (0.13)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.13)