<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THE METRA BIOSYSTEMS, INC. QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE PERIOD ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> JUN-30-1999 <PERIOD-START> JUL-01-1998 <PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1998 <CASH> 4,496 <SECURITIES> 17,939 <RECEIVABLES> 1,612 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 1,073 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 20,636 <PP&E> 2,712 <DEPRECIATION> 0 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 29,203 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 3,284 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 13 <OTHER-SE> 25,421 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 29,203 <SALES> 1,527 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 116 <CGS> 779 <TOTAL-COSTS> 3,883 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0 <INCOME-PRETAX> (1,951) <INCOME-TAX> 0 <INCOME-CONTINUING> (1,951) <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (1,951) <EPS-PRIMARY> (0.15) <EPS-DILUTED> (0.15)