<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 MARCH 31, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> JUN-30-1997 <PERIOD-START> JUL-01-1996 <PERIOD-END> MAR-31-1996 <CASH> 15,916 <SECURITIES> 13,386 <RECEIVABLES> 1,342 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 1,052 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 32,171 <PP&E> 4,265 <DEPRECIATION> 0 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 48,706 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 3,358 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 13 <OTHER-SE> 43,614 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 48,706 <SALES> 4,392 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 274 <CGS> 3,023 <TOTAL-COSTS> 17,282 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0 <INCOME-PRETAX> (10,911) <INCOME-TAX> 0 <INCOME-CONTINUING> (10,911) <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (10,911) <EPS-PRIMARY> (.87) <EPS-DILUTED> (.87)