<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF RIBOZYME PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. FOR THE THREE AND SIX
MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                                        
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                    6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1998
<CASH>                                       9,431,041
<SECURITIES>                                 1,799,624
<RECEIVABLES>                                  234,675
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            11,738,894
<PP&E>                                      10,887,380
<DEPRECIATION>                               6,178,672
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              19,932,854
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        2,794,950
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        91,078
<OTHER-SE>                                  12,364,425
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                19,932,854
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,897,215
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                             9,581,750
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             410,223
<INCOME-PRETAX>                            (9,076,595)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                        (9,076,595)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                               (9,076,595)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (1.03)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0