<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>                                                                 5
               <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE  CONTAINS  SUMMARY  FINANCIAL  INFORMATION
          EXTRACTED  FROM THE FINANCIAL  STATEMENTS  OF ARONEX  PHARMACEUTICALS,
          INC.  SET FORTH IN THE  COMPANY'S  FORM 10-Q FOR THE SIX MONTHS  ENDED
          JUNE 30, 1997 AND IS  QUALIFIED  IN ITS  ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
          FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                                                              1
       
<S>                                                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                                         6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                               DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                                    JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                                                            6,233,000
<SECURITIES>                                                     29,233,000
<RECEIVABLES>                                                             0
<ALLOWANCES>                                                              0
<INVENTORY>                                                               0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                                 32,542,000
<PP&E>                                                            4,772,000
<DEPRECIATION>                                                    3,030,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                   38,196,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                             3,568,000
<BONDS>                                                                   0
<COMMON>                                                             15,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                     0
<PREFERRED>                                                               0
<OTHER-SE>                                                       34,595,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                     34,610,000
<SALES>                                                                   0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                                  1,439,000
<CGS>                                                                     0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                             0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                  7,690,000
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                          0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                   43,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                 (6,294,000)
<INCOME-TAX>                                                              0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                             (6,294,000)
<DISCONTINUED>                                                            0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                           0
<CHANGES>                                                                 0
<NET-INCOME>                                                    (6,294,000)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                         (.43)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                         (.43)
        

</TABLE>