<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM SUPERGEN.
INC SEPTEMBER 30,2000 CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 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> 86,190
<SECURITIES> 20,300
<RECEIVABLES> 552
<ALLOWANCES> 10
<INVENTORY> 1,435
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 112,111
<PP&E> 5,240
<DEPRECIATION> 1,844
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 176,126
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 5,701
<BONDS> 0
0
0
<COMMON> 287,187
<OTHER-SE> (1,961)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 176,126
<SALES> 4,006
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 4,743
<CGS> 938
<TOTAL-COSTS> 0
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 35,114
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<INCOME-PRETAX> (25,340)
<INCOME-TAX> 0
<INCOME-CONTINUING> (25,340)
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> (25,340)
<EPS-BASIC> (0.81)
<EPS-DILUTED> (0.81)
</TABLE>