<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE BALANCE
SHEETS OF NEORX CORPORATION AS OF 12-31-98 AND 12-31-97 AND THE RELATED
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS FOR EACH OF THE 12 MONTHS ENDED 12-31-98 AND 12-31-97
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH 10K REPORT FOR THE
PERIOD ENDED 12-31-98.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> USD
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1998
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                           1,910
<SECURITIES>                                    28,242
<RECEIVABLES>                                        0
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                31,009
<PP&E>                                           8,169
<DEPRECIATION>                                   7,049
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  32,441
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            2,202
<BONDS>                                          1,195
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          4
<COMMON>                                           420
<OTHER-SE>                                      28,620
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    32,441
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 9,087
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 130
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (4,449)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (4,449)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (4,449)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.24)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.24)