<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the BioCryst
Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Financial Statements, and is qualified in its entirety by 
reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
       
                                                  
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1995             DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1995             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1995             MAR-31-1996
<CASH>                                       6,134,968               9,563,150
<SECURITIES>                                 5,279,076               7,823,942
<RECEIVABLES>                                        0                       0
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0                       0
<INVENTORY>                                          0                       0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            11,693,430              17,849,189
<PP&E>                                       3,065,587               3,113,489
<DEPRECIATION>                               1,702,804               1,835,459
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              13,056,213              19,127,219
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,129,304               1,128,020
<BONDS>                                              0                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                        95,043                 105,198
<OTHER-SE>                                  11,231,455              17,369,649
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                13,056,213              19,127,219
<SALES>                                              0                       0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               222,329                  21,279
<CGS>                                                0                       0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0                       0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0                       0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             144,115                  29,168
<INCOME-PRETAX>                            (8,576,264)             (1,912,636)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0                       0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0                       0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                               (8,576,264)             (1,912,636)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (0.96)                  (0.20)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.96)                  (0.20)