<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM SUPERGEN,
INC JUNE 30, 2000 CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END> JUN-30-2000
<CASH> 102,436
<SECURITIES> 18,699
<RECEIVABLES> 2,560
<ALLOWANCES> 10
<INVENTORY> 1,499
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 128,206
<PP&E> 5,101
<DEPRECIATION> 1,684
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 175,534
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 4,879
<BONDS> 0
0
0
<COMMON> 271,494
<OTHER-SE> 3,819
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 175,534
<SALES> 3,556
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 3,950
<CGS> 774
<TOTAL-COSTS> 0
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 22,064
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<INCOME-PRETAX> (15,447)
<INCOME-TAX> 0
<INCOME-CONTINUING> (15,447)
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> (15,447)
<EPS-BASIC> (0.51)
<EPS-DILUTED> (0.51)
</TABLE>