<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF RIBOZYME PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED
JUNE 30, 1999 AND IS QUALIFED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>

                                        
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                    6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1999
<CASH>                                      11,264,609
<SECURITIES>                                 1,000,136
<RECEIVABLES>                                2,593,937
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            15,385,818
<PP&E>                                      11,734,110
<DEPRECIATION>                               7,669,307
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              23,246,486
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,813,822
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        92,279
<OTHER-SE>                                  13,313,846
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                23,246,486
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             3,876,973
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                             7,385,123
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             261,308
<INCOME-PRETAX>                            (5,361,182)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                        (5,361,182)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                               (5,361,182)
<EPS-BASIC>                                     (0.58)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.58)