<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM CONSOLIDATED
BALANCE SHEET AT SEPTEMBER 30, 2000 AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS FOR
NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2000 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000887920
<NAME> TREGA BIOSCIENCES, INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-2000
<EXCHANGE-RATE> 1
<CASH> 2,238
<SECURITIES> 3,602
<RECEIVABLES> 3,076
<ALLOWANCES> 0
<INVENTORY> 0
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 9,728
<PP&E> 9,695
<DEPRECIATION> 5,048
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 22,835
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 7,866
<BONDS> 0
0
0
<COMMON> 23
<OTHER-SE> 11,436
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 22,835
<SALES> 50
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 8,047
<CGS> 136
<TOTAL-COSTS> 20,339
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 451
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 407
<INCOME-PRETAX> (11,563)
<INCOME-TAX> 0
<INCOME-CONTINUING> (11,563)
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> (11,563)
<EPS-BASIC> (.53)
<EPS-DILUTED> (.53)
</TABLE>