<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)