<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 DECEMBER 31,
1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUN-30-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                          14,121
<SECURITIES>                                     7,788
<RECEIVABLES>                                    1,522
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                      1,632
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                27,498
<PP&E>                                           3,707
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  41,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            3,605
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        95,258
<OTHER-SE>                                    (59,130)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    41,000
<SALES>                                          3,198
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 3,401
<CGS>                                            1,461
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    9,165
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (6,298)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (6,298)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (0.50)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.50)