<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK> 0000833298
<NAME>CIMA LABS INC 
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                       2,089,860
<SECURITIES>                                 3,503,541
<RECEIVABLES>                                1,369,753
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    933,638
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             8,107,698
<PP&E>                                      13,966,652
<DEPRECIATION>                              13,572,457
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              18,779,213
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,989,829
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        95,913
<OTHER-SE>                                  57,176,371
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                18,779,213
<SALES>                                      1,657,689
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             2,916,685
<CGS>                                        2,891,202
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                5,207,544
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              4,793,934
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 4,793,934
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.50)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.50)