<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
Company's balance sheet, statement of operations, statement of stockholders'
equity and statement of cash flows and is qualified in its entirety by reference
to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000743884
<NAME> MacroChem Corporation
<MULTIPLIER> 1
<CURRENCY> U.S. Dollars
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> Dec-31-2000
<PERIOD-START> Jan-1-2000
<PERIOD-END> Sep-30-2000
<EXCHANGE-RATE> 1
<CASH> 10,354,000
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 32,000
<ALLOWANCES> 0
<INVENTORY> 0
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 10,663,000
<PP&E> 1,440,000
<DEPRECIATION> 1,046,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 11,595,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 764,000
<BONDS> 0
0
0
<COMMON> 228,000
<OTHER-SE> 10,603,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 11,595,000
<SALES> 0
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 601,000
<CGS> 0
<TOTAL-COSTS> 8,346,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> (1,000)
<INCOME-PRETAX> (7,193,000)
<INCOME-TAX> 0
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 0
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> (7,193,000)
<EPS-BASIC> (0.32)
<EPS-DILUTED> (0.32)
</TABLE>