<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM UNIMED
PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AT DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 FOUND
ON PAGES 22 THROUGH 25 OF THE COMPANY'S FORM 10-K, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                           1,068
<SECURITIES>                                    13,719
<RECEIVABLES>                                    1,778
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                      4,387
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                21,360
<PP&E>                                           2,556
<DEPRECIATION>                                   1,452
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  24,090
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            8,150
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         2,260
<OTHER-SE>                                      12,467
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    24,090
<SALES>                                          8,918
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 8,918
<CGS>                                            2,997
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   18,363
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 113
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (8,209)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (8,209)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (8,209)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.93)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.93)