<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF RIBOZYME PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. FOR THE THREE MONTHS
ENDED MARCH 31, 1998.
</LEGEND>
       
                                        
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                    3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998
<CASH>                                      11,162,276
<SECURITIES>                                 1,811,016
<RECEIVABLES>                                    7,500
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            13,237,648
<PP&E>                                      10,652,033
<DEPRECIATION>                               5,730,506
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              21,439,414
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        3,543,493
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        86,096
<OTHER-SE>                                  14,133,503
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                21,439,414
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               977,374
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                             5,000,870
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             169,637
<INCOME-PRETAX>                            (4,660,338)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                        (4,660,338)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                               (4,660,338)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (0.54)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0