<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM DEPOMED, INC.'S
BALANCE SHEET (UNAUDITED) FOR SEPTEMBER 30, 2000 AND STATEMENT OF INCOME
(UNAUDITED) FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2000 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<S> <C> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000 DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START> JUL-01-2000 JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-2000 SEP-30-2000
<CASH> 2,976,761 2,976,761
<SECURITIES> 1,500,540 1,500,540
<RECEIVABLES> 381,926 381,926
<ALLOWANCES> 0 0
<INVENTORY> 0 0
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 57,747 57,747
<PP&E> 1,643,280 1,643,280
<DEPRECIATION> (658,614) (658,614)
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 6,195,396 6,195,396
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 1,712,115 1,712,115
<BONDS> 0 0
0 0
12,603,000 12,603,000
<COMMON> 19,780,864 19,780,864
<OTHER-SE> 0 0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 6,195,396 6,195,396
<SALES> 0 0
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 381,926 381,926
<CGS> 0 0
<TOTAL-COSTS> 0 0
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 2,267,829 2,267,282
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 18,675 207,137
<INCOME-PRETAX> (2,378,872) (6,205,538)
<INCOME-TAX> 0 0
<INCOME-CONTINUING> (2,378,872) (6,205,538)
<DISCONTINUED> 0 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0 0
<CHANGES> 0 0
<NET-INCOME> (2,378,872) (6,205,538)
<EPS-BASIC> (0.36) (0.95)
<EPS-DILUTED> (0.36) (0.95)
</TABLE>