<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF MOLECULAR BIOSYSTEMS, INC. DATED
MARCH 31, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK>  0000719598 
<NAME> MOLECULAR BIOSYSTEMS, INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             APR-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998
<CASH>                                           1,064
<SECURITIES>                                    20,274
<RECEIVABLES>                                    1,498
<ALLOWANCES>                                         3
<INVENTORY>                                      1,902
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                33,638
<PP&E>                                          19,247
<DEPRECIATION>                                   7,073
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  51,318
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           12,572
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           178
<OTHER-SE>                                      30,986
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    51,318
<SALES>                                          1,151
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 6,246
<CGS>                                            5,791
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   28,781
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 721
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (21,260)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (21,260)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (21,260)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (1.19)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (1.19)