<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF RIBOZYME PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. FOR THE NINE MONTHS
ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1999.
</LEGEND>

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                    9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1999
<CASH>                                      12,059,991
<SECURITIES>                                 2,910,076
<RECEIVABLES>                                3,222,461
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            18,522,444
<PP&E>                                      12,033,609
<DEPRECIATION>                               8,053,828
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              27,352,705
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        2,052,145
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       112,079
<OTHER-SE>                                  17,153,345
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                27,352,705
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,806,849
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                             3,782,369
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             114,964
<INCOME-PRETAX>                            (2,565,172)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                        (2,565,172)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                               (2,565,172)
<EPS-BASIC>                                     (0.23)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.23)