<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
ACCOMPANYING BALANCE SHEET OF MGI PHARMA, INC. AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1996, AND THE
RELATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                       8,220,569
<SECURITIES>                                 9,667,254
<RECEIVABLES>                                1,079,970
<ALLOWANCES>                                    68,254
<INVENTORY>                                    594,164
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            19,615,393
<PP&E>                                         227,134
<DEPRECIATION>                                 775,810
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              20,163,044
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        3,795,756
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                    16,367,288
<OTHER-SE>                                           0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                20,163,044
<SALES>                                      6,459,550
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             9,579,992
<CGS>                                          677,610
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                             7,865,475
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                            (6,621,747)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                        (6,621,747)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                               (6,621,747)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.50)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.50)