<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
CLOSURE MEDICAL CORPORATION FINANCIAL DATA SCHEDULE PER ITEM 601(C) OF
REGULATION S-X
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                                 JAN-1-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                   JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                                         14,866,293
<SECURITIES>                                   12,259,449
<RECEIVABLES>                                  86,625
<ALLOWANCES>                                   0
<INVENTORY>                                    129,046
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               26,189,522
<PP&E>                                         1,455,829
<DEPRECIATION>                                 (244,983)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 29,170,168
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          3,212,475
<BONDS>                                        0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                          0
<PREFERRED>                                    0
<COMMON>                                       131,906
<OTHER-SE>                                     25,378,090
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   29,170,168
<SALES>                                        347,927
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               347,927
<CGS>                                          421,974
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  421,974
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               3,120,690
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (3,194,737)
<INCOME-TAX>                                   0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (3,194,737)
<DISCONTINUED>                                 0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                0
<CHANGES>                                      0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (3,194,737)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                  (0.25)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                  (0.25)