<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS, CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND CONDENSED
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS, FILED AS PART OF INSPIRE PHARMACEUTICAL, INC.'S
QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED JUNE 30, 2000 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q.

<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-2000
<CASH>                                          13,759
<SECURITIES>                                     3,107
<RECEIVABLES>                                       72
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                17,703
<PP&E>                                           3,493
<DEPRECIATION>                                   2,350
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  20,480
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            1,602
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                     45,895
<COMMON>                                             3
<OTHER-SE>                                    (34,554)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    20,480
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 2,309
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 7,390
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 365
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (4,864)
<INCOME-TAX>                                       150
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (5,014)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (5,014)
<EPS-BASIC>                                     (2.16)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (2.16)