<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             JUN-30-1996
<CASH>                                       6,134,968               6,272,730
<SECURITIES>                                 5,279,076              11,540,354
<RECEIVABLES>                                        0                       0
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0                       0
<INVENTORY>                                          0                       0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            11,693,430              18,438,773
<PP&E>                                       3,065,587               3,195,983
<DEPRECIATION>                               1,702,804               1,967,437
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              13,056,213              19,667,319
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,129,304               1,416,022
<BONDS>                                              0                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                        95,043                 106,234
<OTHER-SE>                                  11,231,455              17,696,951
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                13,056,213              19,667,319
<SALES>                                              0                       0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               222,329               1,521,279
<CGS>                                                0                       0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0                       0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0                       0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             144,115                  55,629
<INCOME-PRETAX>                            (8,576,264)             (3,123,518)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0                       0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0                       0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                               (8,576,264)             (3,123,518)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (0.96)                  (0.31)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.96)                  (0.31)