<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, 1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                                        
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                    3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1999
<CASH>                                       4,805,279
<SECURITIES>                                   996,475
<RECEIVABLES>                                3,499,772
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             9,551,197
<PP&E>                                      11,539,060
<DEPRECIATION>                               7,294,591
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              17,683,544
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        2,691,487
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        91,854
<OTHER-SE>                                   7,812,421
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                17,683,544
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,701,235
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                             3,760,433
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             112,091
<INCOME-PRETAX>                            (3,134,994)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                        (3,134,994)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                               (3,134,994)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (0.34)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.34)