<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF MOLECULAR BIOSYSTEMS INC. DATED MARCH 31,
2000 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> MAR-31-2000
<PERIOD-START> APR-01-1999
<PERIOD-END> MAR-31-2000
<EXCHANGE-RATE> 1
<CASH> 1,756
<SECURITIES> 10,287
<RECEIVABLES> 1,820
<ALLOWANCES> 0
<INVENTORY> 203
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 14,270
<PP&E> 14,156
<DEPRECIATION> 7,572
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 22,644
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 10,446
<BONDS> 3,529
0
0
<COMMON> 186
<OTHER-SE> 8,483
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 22,644
<SALES> 1,525
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 8,525
<CGS> (107)
<TOTAL-COSTS> 15,973
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 447
<INCOME-PRETAX> (7,168)
<INCOME-TAX> (400)
<INCOME-CONTINUING> (7,568)
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> (7,568)
<EPS-BASIC> (.40)
<EPS-DILUTED> (.40)
</TABLE>