<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARRY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF GENOME THERAPEUTICS CORPORATION FOR THE YEAR ENDED
AUGUST 31, 1995, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS AND THE NOTES THERETO.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1995
<PERIOD-START>                             SEP-01-1994
<PERIOD-END>                               AUG-31-1995
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                           5,886
<SECURITIES>                                     2,341
<RECEIVABLES>                                      620
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 8,897
<PP&E>                                           4,172
<DEPRECIATION>                                   2,452
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  11,529
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            3,398
<BONDS>                                              0
<COMMON>                                         1,348
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                       5,891
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     7,239
<SALES>                                          7,385
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                11,207
<CGS>                                            6,648
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    6,648
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 3,974
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  86
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<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .05
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .04