<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM INVITROGEN'S
QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE PERIOD ENDED JUNE 30, 2000 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000 DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-2000 JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END> JUN-30-2000 JUN-30-1999
<CASH> 175,781 36,230
<SECURITIES> 98,060 2,439
<RECEIVABLES> 14,779 11,681
<ALLOWANCES> 829 350
<INVENTORY> 8,229 7,052
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 308,968 60,308
<PP&E> 41,792 31,442
<DEPRECIATION> 15,961 12,120
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 346,431 84,275
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 15,445 15,290
<BONDS> 172,500 0
0 0
0 0
<COMMON> 237 194
<OTHER-SE> 155,467 60,820
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 346,431 84,275
<SALES> 53,950 44,376
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 54,983 45,243
<CGS> 17,985 16,501
<TOTAL-COSTS> 17,985 16,501
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 31,306 22,050
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 3,685 377
<INCOME-PRETAX> 8,157 6,780
<INCOME-TAX> 5,199 2,509
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 2,958 4,271
<DISCONTINUED> 0 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0 0
<CHANGES> 0 0
<NET-INCOME> 2,958 4,271
<EPS-BASIC> 0.13 0.28
<EPS-DILUTED> 0.12 0.24
</TABLE>