<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF RIBOZYME PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, 2000.
</LEGEND>
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-2000
<CASH> 36,540,545
<SECURITIES> 25,685,126
<RECEIVABLES> 4,435,094
<ALLOWANCES> 0
<INVENTORY> 0
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 67,076,443
<PP&E> 12,899,187
<DEPRECIATION> 9,660,287
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 82,879,492
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 2,683,553
<BONDS> 0
0
540,795
<COMMON> 153,038
<OTHER-SE> 77,583,400
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 82,879,492
<SALES> 0
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 12,182,252
<CGS> 0
<TOTAL-COSTS> 17,527,478
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 94,062
<INCOME-PRETAX> (10,147,334)
<INCOME-TAX> 0
<INCOME-CONTINUING> (10,147,334)
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> (10,147,334)
<EPS-BASIC> (0.72)
<EPS-DILUTED> (0.72)
</TABLE>