<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM
SUPERGEN, INC DECEMBER 31, 1998 CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1998
<CASH>                                           8,614
<SECURITIES>                                     3,299
<RECEIVABLES>                                      722
<ALLOWANCES>                                        10
<INVENTORY>                                      1,245
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                14,576
<PP&E>                                           3,771
<DEPRECIATION>                                     832
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  19,793
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            2,975
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        72,839
<OTHER-SE>                                           0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    19,793
<SALES>                                          3,004
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 3,004
<CGS>                                            1,925
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                17,557
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (15,577)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (15,577)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (15,577)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (0.77)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.77)