<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 DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> JUN-30-1997 <PERIOD-START> JUL-01-1996 <PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1996 <CASH> 18,518 <SECURITIES> 19,220 <RECEIVABLES> 1,232 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 682 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 40,293 <PP&E> 4,575 <DEPRECIATION> 0 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 51,028 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 3,624 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 13 <OTHER-SE> 45,502 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 51,028 <SALES> 2,682 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 2,895 <CGS> 2,282 <TOTAL-COSTS> 13,171 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0 <INCOME-PRETAX> (9,072) <INCOME-TAX> 0 <INCOME-CONTINUING> (9,072) <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (9,072) <EPS-PRIMARY> (.72) <EPS-DILUTED> (.72)