<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE METRA BIOSYSTEMS, INC. QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> JUN-30-1997 <PERIOD-START> JUL-01-1996 <PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1996 <CASH> 18,480 <SECURITIES> 28,622 <RECEIVABLES> 1,296 <ALLOWANCES> 116 <INVENTORY> 926 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 44,998 <PP&E> 6,793 <DEPRECIATION> 2,147 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 54,783 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 3,810 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 13 <OTHER-SE> 49,691 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 54,783 <SALES> 1,167 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 1,243 <CGS> 972 <TOTAL-COSTS> 6,657 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0 <INCOME-PRETAX> (4,789) <INCOME-TAX> 0 <INCOME-CONTINUING> (4,789) <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (4,789) <EPS-PRIMARY> (0.38) <EPS-DILUTED> (0.38)