<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM MAGAININ
PHARMACEUTICAL INC.'S BALANCE SHEET AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2000 AND THE RELATED
STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR THE NINE-MONTH PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2000 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-2000
<CASH> 666
<SECURITIES> 21,012
<RECEIVABLES> 0
<ALLOWANCES> 0
<INVENTORY> 0
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 21,951
<PP&E> 4,563
<DEPRECIATION> 3,309
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 23,376
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 5,624
<BONDS> 0
523
0
<COMMON> 65
<OTHER-SE> 14,906
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 23,376
<SALES> 0
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 0
<CGS> 0
<TOTAL-COSTS> 0
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 8,864
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 489
<INCOME-PRETAX> (8,789)
<INCOME-TAX> 0
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 0
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> (8,812)
<EPS-BASIC> (.31)
<EPS-DILUTED> (.31)
</TABLE>