<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM (A) THE
CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET, STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
INCLUDED IN THE COMPANY'S FORM 10-Q FOR THE PERIOD ENDED JUNE 30, 1996 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH (B) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND THE
NOTES THERETO.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000874865
<NAME> COR THERAPEUTICS, INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> US DOLLARS
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1996
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                          63,711
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    6,581
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                70,292
<PP&E>                                          20,210
<DEPRECIATION>                                  12,335
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  78,167
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           12,664
<BONDS>                                          4,184
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         2,000
<OTHER-SE>                                      59,319
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    78,167
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 7,324
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                29,773
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 385
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (20,854)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (20,854)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (20,854)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (1.07)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (1.07)