<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM CELL
PATHWAYS, INC. AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO FORM S-1 REGISTRATION STATEMENT AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                                                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                              12-MOS                  9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996             DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996             SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                             645                  11,401
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                        0                       0
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0                       0
<INVENTORY>                                          0                       0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                   910                  11,674
<PP&E>                                             256                     449
<DEPRECIATION>                                      71                     112
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   1,106                  12,105
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            1,223                   1,125
<BONDS>                                              0                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                1                   1,092
<PREFERRED>                                     15,137                  32,003
<COMMON>                                            15                      17
<OTHER-SE>                                    (15,332)                (22,138)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     1,106                  12,105
<SALES>                                              0                       0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                     0                       0
<CGS>                                                0                       0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    4,826                   6,170
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0                   1,017
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0                       0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  4,735                   6,899
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0                       0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0                       0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (4,735)                 (6,899)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (0.62)                  (0.90)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.62)                  (0.90)