<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS OF RIBOZYME PHARMACEUTICALS, INC., FOR THE TWELVE MONTHS ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1999
<CASH>                                       9,749,822
<SECURITIES>                                 4,250,259
<RECEIVABLES>                                2,029,893
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            16,286,545
<PP&E>                                      12,251,790
<DEPRECIATION>                               8,447,884
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              25,092,099
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        2,200,917
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       112,633
<OTHER-SE>                                  14,768,011
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                25,092,099
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             7,664,398
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                            15,394,602
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             551,954
<INCOME-PRETAX>                           (10,660,581)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                       (10,660,581)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                              (10,660,581)
<EPS-BASIC>                                     (1.05)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (1.05)