<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 SEPTEMBER 30, 2000 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000 DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-2000 JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-2000 SEP-30-1999
<CASH> 689,787 38,319
<SECURITIES> 24,890 809
<RECEIVABLES> 108,196 11,826
<ALLOWANCES> 5,609 350
<INVENTORY> 101,934 6,780
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 957,981 61,251
<PP&E> 181,863 35,013
<DEPRECIATION> 17,788 13,022
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 2,735,080 87,888
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 2,066,809 19,160
<BONDS> 172,500 0
0 0
0 0
<COMMON> 240 196
<OTHER-SE> 205,795 61,416
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 2,735,080 87,888
<SALES> 101,542 67,787
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 102,972 69,050
<CGS> 41,803 25,312
<TOTAL-COSTS> 41,803 25,312
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 62,710 36,572
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 6,369 763
<INCOME-PRETAX> 3,299 7,454
<INCOME-TAX> 5,892 2,782
<INCOME-CONTINUING> (2,653) 4,672
<DISCONTINUED> 0 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0 0
<CHANGES> 0 0
<NET-INCOME> (2,653) 4,672
<EPS-BASIC> (0.11) (0.29)
<EPS-DILUTED> (0.11) (0.26)
</TABLE>