FINANCIAL DATA SCHEDULE

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK> 0000949858
<NAME> Sonus Pharmaceuticals
<MULTIPLIER> 1
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS

<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1996
<EXCHANGE-RATE> 1
<CASH> 5,926,151
<SECURITIES> 16,125,319
<RECEIVABLES> 0
<ALLOWANCES> 0
<INVENTORY> 0
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 22,385,783
<PP&E> 2,176,642
<DEPRECIATION> 1,102,383
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 23,533,380
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 8,990,369
<BONDS> 0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0
<PREFERRED> 0
<COMMON> 34,249,811
<OTHER-SE> (20,040,126)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 23,533,380
<SALES> 0
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 11,200,000
<CGS> 0
<TOTAL-COSTS> 12,039,648
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 172,157
<INCOME-PRETAX> (505,037)
<INCOME-TAX> 420,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 0
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> (925,037)
<EPS-PRIMARY> (0.11)
<EPS-DILUTED> (0.11)


</TABLE>