<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This Schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
Financial Statements of Emisphere Technologies, Inc. at July 31, 2000 and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to such Financial Statements.
</LEGEND>
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> JUL-31-2000
<PERIOD-START> AUG-01-1999
<PERIOD-END> JUL-31-2000
<CASH> 30,050,036
<SECURITIES> 31,311,406
<RECEIVABLES> 0
<ALLOWANCES> 0
<INVENTORY> 0
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 64,625,492
<PP&E> 18,277,658
<DEPRECIATION> 7,671,062
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 229,556,684
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 4,447,424
<BONDS> 0
0
0
<COMMON> 176,795
<OTHER-SE> 199,743,848
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 229,556,684
<SALES> 0
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 5,889,267
<CGS> 0
<TOTAL-COSTS> 35,760,025
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 3,166,162
<INCOME-PRETAX> (26,896,706)
<INCOME-TAX> 0
<INCOME-CONTINUING> (26,896,706)
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> (26,896,706)
<EPS-BASIC> (1.79)
<EPS-DILUTED> (1.79)
</TABLE>