<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
ACCOMPANYING BALANCE SHEETS OF CIMA LABS INC. AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2000, AND THE
RELATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2000 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.


                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-2000
<CASH>                                      91,587,716
<SECURITIES>                                71,574,475
<RECEIVABLES>                                8,650,614
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                  1,381,476
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           173,421,189
<PP&E>                                      23,268,688
<DEPRECIATION>                               7,527,218
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             189,461,692
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        2,536,507
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       143,584
<OTHER-SE>                                 228,631,594
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               186,925,185
<SALES>                                     13,406,571
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            23,919,095
<CGS>                                       12,409,468
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                8,838,480
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                58,045
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                         (2,172,481)
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              4,785,583
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          4,785,583
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                    (799,337)
<NET-INCOME>                                 3,986,246
<EPS-BASIC>                                        .36
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .32