<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE METRA
BIOSYSTEMS, INC. QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE PRRIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER
30, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                  1,000

       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                         JUN-30-1999
<PERIOD-START>                            JUL-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                              SEP-30-1998
<CASH>                                          4,814
<SECURITIES>                                   19,950
<RECEIVABLES>                                   1,379
<ALLOWANCES>                                        0
<INVENTORY>                                     1,124
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               21,231
<PP&E>                                          3,024
<DEPRECIATION>                                      0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 31,983
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           3,598
<BONDS>                                             0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                               0
<PREFERRED>                                         0
<COMMON>                                           13
<OTHER-SE>                                     27,599
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   31,983
<SALES>                                         1,107
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                1,223
<CGS>                                             525
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   4,169
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                    0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (2,616)
<INCOME-TAX>                                        0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (2,616)
<DISCONTINUED>                                      0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                     0
<CHANGES>                                           0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (2,616)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.21)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.21)