<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM
THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF MOLECULAR BIOSYSTEMS, INC.
DATED DECEMBER 31, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE
TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1998
<CASH>                                             502
<SECURITIES>                                    18,187
<RECEIVABLES>                                    6,502
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                      1,679
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                   384
<PP&E>                                          16,281
<DEPRECIATION>                                   7,022
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  38,601
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           14,134
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           186
<OTHER-SE>                                      38,415
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    38,601
<SALES>                                          2,721
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                23,840
<CGS>                                            6,109
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   41,308
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 456
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (16,798)
<INCOME-TAX>                                   (1,400)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (18,198)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (18,198)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (0.98)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0