<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM SUPERGEN,
INC. SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                      19,950,684
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  222,681
<ALLOWANCES>                                    10,000
<INVENTORY>                                  1,461,456
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            22,995,145
<PP&E>                                       2,764,654
<DEPRECIATION>                                 266,591
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              27,564,675
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        3,434,141
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                    59,907,412
<OTHER-SE>                                           0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                27,564,675
<SALES>                                      1,282,455
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,282,455
<CGS>                                        1,221,388
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                            12,013,176
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                           (11,457,165)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                       (11,457,165)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                              (11,457,165)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (0.66)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0