<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE METRA
BIOSYSTEMS, INC. QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31,
1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>

<MULTIPLIER>                  1,000

       
                                     
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                       JUN-30-1999
<PERIOD-START>                          JUL-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                            MAR-31-1999
<CASH>                                        3,725
<SECURITIES>                                 17,192
<RECEIVABLES>                                 1,500
<ALLOWANCES>                                      0
<INVENTORY>                                   1,300
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             18,288
<PP&E>                                        2,408
<DEPRECIATION>                                    0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               27,655
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                         3,652
<BONDS>                                           0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                             0
<PREFERRED>                                       0
<COMMON>                                         13
<OTHER-SE>                                   23,704
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 27,655
<SALES>                                       1,537
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                              1,669
<CGS>                                           622
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                 3,474
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                  0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                  0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              (1,545)
<INCOME-TAX>                                      0
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<CHANGES>                                         0
<NET-INCOME>                                 (1,545)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                 (0.12)
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