<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the BioCryst
Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Financial Statements, and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1999
<CASH>                                       5,335,967
<SECURITIES>                                18,980,886
<RECEIVABLES>                                        0
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            18,167,183
<PP&E>                                       3,476,033
<DEPRECIATION>                               1,963,008
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              26,545,685
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,032,175
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       149,876
<OTHER-SE>                                  25,048,930
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                26,545,685
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             3,040,597
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                5,688,837
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,777
<INCOME-PRETAX>                            (2,651,017)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                               (2,651,017)
<EPS-BASIC>                                      (.18)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.18)