<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 NINE MONTHS ENDED  SEPTEMBER 30, 1998 AND
                          IS  QUALIFIED  IN ITS  ENTIRETY BY  REFERENCE  TO SUCH
                          FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                                                                   1
       
<S>                                                                          <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                                              9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                                    DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                                         SEP-30-1998
<CASH>                                                                 3,791,000
<SECURITIES>                                                          12,224,000
<RECEIVABLES>                                                                  0
<ALLOWANCES>                                                                   0
<INVENTORY>                                                                    0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                                      15,111,000
<PP&E>                                                                 4,904,000
<DEPRECIATION>                                                         2,781,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                        18,522,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                                  6,122,000
<BONDS>                                                                        0
<COMMON>                                                                  15,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                          0
<PREFERRED>                                                                    0
<OTHER-SE>                                                            11,338,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                          18,522,000
<SALES>                                                                1,342,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                                               0
<CGS>                                                                          0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                         17,888,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                               0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                               0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                        41,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                     (16,546,000)
<INCOME-TAX>                                                                   0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                                 (16,546,000)
<DISCONTINUED>                                                                 0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                                0
<CHANGES>                                                                      0
<NET-INCOME>                                                        (16,546,000)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                             (1.07)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                             (1.07)
        

</TABLE>