<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)