<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
accompanying balance sheet of MGI PHARMA, INC. as of September 30, 2000, and the
related statement of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2000 and
is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements:
</LEGEND>
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-2000
<CASH> 13,956,622
<SECURITIES> 23,690,885
<RECEIVABLES> 3,675,677
<ALLOWANCES> 147,320
<INVENTORY> 1,098,582
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 42,692,308
<PP&E> 1,286,607
<DEPRECIATION> 1,065,718
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 48,227,394
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 6,574,485
<BONDS> 0
0
0
<COMMON> 40,652,909
<OTHER-SE> 0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 48,227,394
<SALES> 15,560,061
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 20,301,172
<CGS> 1,028,897
<TOTAL-COSTS> 0
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 12,604,732
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<INCOME-PRETAX> (4,360,487)
<INCOME-TAX> 148,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING> (4,508,487)
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> (4,508,487)
<EPS-BASIC> (.28)
<EPS-DILUTED> (.28)
</TABLE>