<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFROMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
COMPANY'S CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30,
2000 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

<CIK>             0000936402


<NAME>            SHIRE PHARMACEUTICALS GROUP PLC
<MULTIPLIER>               1,000
<CURRENCY>                 U.S. DOLLARS


                                 
<PERIOD-TYPE>                       3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                   DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                      APR-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                        JUN-30-2000
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                     1
<CASH>                              89,443
<SECURITIES>                        62,402
<RECEIVABLES>                       83,012
<ALLOWANCES>                        557
<INVENTORY>                         39,763
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                    302,580
<PP&E>                              40,126
<DEPRECIATION>                      10,968
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                      907,837
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>               120,777
<BONDS>                             0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>               0
<PREFERRED>                         0
<COMMON>                            20,826
<OTHER-SE>                          637,749
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>        907,837
<SALES>                             117,947
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                    123,812
<CGS>                               20,680
<TOTAL-COSTS>                       76,041
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                    0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                    0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                  2,928
<INCOME-PRETAX>                     26,808
<INCOME-TAX>                        7,437
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                 19,371
<DISCONTINUED>                      0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                     0
<CHANGES>                           0
<NET-INCOME>                        19,371
<EPS-BASIC>                         0.08
<EPS-DILUTED>                       0.07