UNITED STATES
               SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                       Washington, D.C.  20549

                            FORM 10-Q

        /X/ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR    
           15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

           FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 1997


                  Commission File Number 0-9314


                  ACCESS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
   (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


        Delaware                       83-0221517
- -------------------------      --------------------------
 (State of Incorporation)      (I.R.S. Employer I.D. No.)

       2600 Stemmons Frwy, Suite 176, Dallas, TX  75207 
       ------------------------------------------------
            (Address of principal executive offices)

Telephone Number   (214) 905-5100

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports 
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act 
of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to 
such filing requirement for the past 90 days.

             Yes   X                No         
                --------              ---------

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of
common stock, as of the latest practicable date.


Common stock outstanding as 
of May 14, 1997        31,391,324 shares, $0.04 par value 
   ------------        ----------

                      Total No. of Pages   11 

                                   

 



                       PART I -- FINANCIAL INFORMATION


ITEM 1   FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The response to this Item is submitted as a separate section of this report.

ITEM 2   MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND 
         RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

On April 25, 1997, the Company filed a Definitive Proxy Statement with the 
Securities and Exchange Commission requesting shareholder approval to amend 
Access' Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, to effect a
recapitalization of the Company through a one for four reverse stock split 
of Access common stock (the "Common Stock") and decrease the number of 
authorized shares of Common Stock from 60.0 million to 25.0 million.  
This proposal, if approved, would decrease the number of outstanding shares
of Common Stock from approximately 31.4 million to 7.9 million.
 
If the proposal is approved by shareholders, the Company intends to submit 
an application for listing on the NASDAQ SmallCap Market or an exchange if 
it meets all qualifications for such listing.  The Company believes
that securing a NASDAQ or an exchange listing along with the reverse split 
would improve Access' ability to finance the Company's research activities 
under more favorable terms since institutional investors and
investment community members which generally have restrictions on investing
in unlisted companies.  There can be no assurances the market price 
immediately after the implementation of the proposed reverse stock split
will increase, and if it does increase, there can be no assurance that such
increase can be maintained for any period of time, or that such market price
will approximate four times the market price before the proposed reverse 
stock split.  There can be no assurances that the Company will be listed 
on the NASDAQ SmallCap Market or an exchange.

On February 5, 1997 the Company announced the signing of a letter of intent
to enter into collaboration with The Dow Chemical Company ("Dow") for the 
development of products incorporating Dow's chelation technology and
Access' bioresponsive polymer systems.  The closing of the agreement is 
subject to negotiation of definitive documents and final approval by both 
parties.  The collaboration will focus on the development of MRI
contrast agents and radiopharmaceutical diagnostics and therapeutics.  The 
advancement of the Access developments in these areas are dependent on 
securing chelation technology, which encapsulates metals to avoid adverse
effects on the body.

On April 26, 1996, Access Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ("Access" or "the Company") 
executed a letter of intent to acquire Tacora Corp., a privately-held 
pharmaceutical company based in Seattle. The transaction is expected to 
close shortly.  Under the terms of the letter of intent, the purchase price 
is contingent upon the achievement of certain milestones.  In addition to cash
of $250,000 and $100,000 in common stock paid at closing, stock up to a
maximum value of $14,000,000 could be payable to Tacora's shareholders over 
a 30 month period on an escalating value over the milestone period.  The 
consummation of the transaction is subject to customary conditions

                            2

to closing and approval of the stockholders of Tacora Corp.

           Liquidity and Capital Resources

Working capital as of March 31, 1997 was $3,175,000, a decrease of $769,000
as compared to the working capital as of December 31, 1996 of $3,944,000.  
The decrease in working capital was anticipated and was due to operating
expenses for research and development and general and administrative 
expenses offset by licensing revenue and interest income.  

Royalty revenues and other significant revenues are not expected during 
the remainder of 1997. Research and development expenditures to advance 
products into human testing will remain high for several years and will
require the Company to enter into collaborations with partners and/or to 
raise additional funds through equity financing.  There can be no assurance 
that the Company will be successful in attaining a partner or future
equity financing on acceptable terms to complete the testing of its products.

With the Company's current budget and it's anticipated option and licensing 
revenues, management believes working capital will cover planned operations
through the end of 1998. If the anticipated revenues are delayed or
do not occur or the Company is unsuccessful in raising additional capital 
on acceptable terms, research and development and general and 
administrative expenditures would be curtailed so that working capital 
would cover operations through approximately the end of 1998.

                   First Quarter 1997
                      Compared to
                   First Quarter 1996

The Company had $138,000 in licensing revenue in the first quarter 1997 as 
compared to $165,000 in option income in 1996.  First quarter 1997 
revenues were comprised of licensing income from an ongoing agreement
while 1996 option revenues were from an option agreement for rights to 
certain of the Company's technology that terminated in April 1996.

Total research spending for the first quarter of 1997 was $504,000 as 
compared to $208,000 for the same period in 1996, an increase of $296,000.
The increase in expenses was the result of the increase in staffing for 
projects and external contract research costs.  Research spending
is expected to increase in future quarters as the Company has hired 
additional scientific management and staff and is accelerating activities 
to develop the Company's product candidates.

Total general and administrative expenses were $405,000 for the first quarter
of 1997, an increase of $96,000 as compared to the same period in 1996.  
The increase in spending was due primarily to the following:  salaries
and salary related expenses of recently hired employees-$60,000;  increased 
general business consulting fees-$34,000;  director fees and director and 
officer insurance- $17,000;  offset by other net miscellaneous
decreases- $15,000.

Excess purchase price over the fair value of Chemex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.'s 
("Chemex") net assets of $8,314,000 was recorded and written off in the 
first quarter of 1996 due to an immediate impairment of the excess purchase 
price.

                             3

Interest and miscellaneous income was $47,000 for the first quarter of 1997 
as compared to $30,000 for the same period in 1996, an increase of $17,000.
The increase was due to interest income from higher cash balance due to $6
million in gross proceeds from a private placement of 8.57 million shares 
of common stock in March 1996.

Total expenses in the first quarter of 1997 were $941,000, with licensing 
income and interest income of $185,000, resulting in a loss for the quarter 
of $764,000, or $.02 per share.  

Certain statements in this Form 10-Q including Management's Discussion and 
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, are forward-
looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties.  In addition to 
the risks and uncertainties set forth in this Form 10-Q, other factors could 
cause actual results to differ materially, including but not limited to the
Company's research and development focus, uncertainties associated with 
research and development activities, future capital requirements, 
anticipated option and licensing revenues, dependence on others, and other 
risks detailed in the Company's reports filed under the Securities Exchange 
Act, including but not limited to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K 
for the year ended December 31, 1996.

                PART II -- OTHER INFORMATION


ITEM 1       LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

             None

ITEM 2       CHANGES IN SECURITIES

             None

ITEM 3       DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

             None

ITEM 4       SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY 
             HOLDERS 

             None

ITEM 5       OTHER INFORMATION

      On April 25, 1997, the Company filed a Definitive Proxy Statement with
      the Securities and Exchange Commission requesting shareholder approval
      to amend Access' Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, 
      to effect a recapitalization of the Company through a one for four 
      reverse stock split of Access common stock (the "Common Stock") and 
      decrease the number of authorized shares of Common Stock from 60.0    
      million to 25.0 million.  This proposal, if approved, would decrease 
      the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock from approximately 
      31.4 million to 7.9 million.

      If the proposal is approved by shareholders, the Company intends to 
      submit an application for listing on the NASDAQ SmallCap Market or an
      exchange if it meets all qualifications 

                                4

     for such listing.  The Company believes that securing a NASDAQ or an 
     exchange listing along with the reverse split would improve Access' 
     ability to finance the Company's research activities under more 
     favorable terms since institutional investors and investment community 
     members which generally have restrictions on investing in unlisted
     companies. There can be no assurances the market price immediately 
     after the implementation of the proposed reverse stock split will 
     increase, and if it does increase, there can be no assurance that   
     such increase can be maintained for any period of time, or that such 
     market price will approximate four times the market price before the 
     proposed reverse stock split.  There can be no assurances that the 
     Company will be listed on the NASDAQ SmallCap Market or any exchange.

     On February 5, 1997 the Company announced the signing of a letter of 
     intent to enter into collaboration with The Dow Chemical Company 
     ("Dow") for the development of products incorporating Dow's chelation
     technology and Access' bioresponsive polymer systems.  The closing of 
     the agreement is subject to negotiation of definitive documents and 
     final approval by both parties.  The collaboration will focus on the 
     development of MRI contrast agents and radiopharmaceutical diagnostics 
     and therapeutics.  The advancement of the Access developments in these 
     areas are dependent on securing chelation technology, which encapsulates
     metals to avoid adverse effects on the body.

     On April 26, 1996, Access Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ("Access" or "the 
     Company") executed a letter of intent to acquire Tacora Corp., a 
     privately-held pharmaceutical company based in Seattle.  The     
     transaction is expected to close shortly.  Under the terms of the 
     letter of intent, the purchase price is contingent upon the achievement 
     of certain milestones.  In addition to cash of $250,000 and $100,000 
     in common stock paid at closing, stock up to a maximum value of 
     $14,000,000 could be payable to Tacora's shareholders over a 30 month 
     period on an escalating value over the milestone period.  The 
     consummation of the transaction is subject to customary conditions to 
     closing and approval of the stockholders of Tacora Corp.  


ITEM 6       EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K           
                                               

      Exhibits:    None

      Reports on Form 8-K:       None






                              5


                      SIGNATURES


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the 
registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the 
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.



                          ACCESS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.





Date: May 14, 1997             By:  /s/ Kerry P. Gray     
      ------------                 -------------------
                                   Kerry P. Gray       
                                   President and Chief Executive Officer
                                  (Principal Executive Officer)

Date: May 14, 1997             By:  /s/ Stephen B. Thompson
      ------------                 ------------------------
                                   Stephen B. Thompson
                                   Chief Financial Officer
                                   (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
       






                                   6
 
               ACCESS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
               a development stage company

                      Balance Sheets

                                                        
                                                    
Assets                                     March 31, 1997   December 31, 1996
                                              -----------   -----------
                                                      
Current Assets
 Cash and cash equivalents                    $ 3,485,000   $ 4,428,000
 Accounts receivable                                2,000         1,000
 Prepaid expenses and other current assets        171,000       190,000
                                              -----------   -----------
  Total current assets                          3,658,000     4,619,000
                                              -----------   -----------
Property and Equipment, at cost                   590,000       585,000
 Less accumulated depreciation                   (317,000)     (285,000)
                                              -----------   -----------
                                                  273,000       300,000
                                              -----------   -----------
Other Assets                                        9,000         9,000
                                              -----------   -----------
    Total Assets                              $ 3,940,000   $ 4,928,000
                                              ===========   ===========

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity

Current Liabilities
   Accounts payable and accrued expenses      $   282,000   $   449,000
   Accrued insurance premium                       55,000        74,000
   Current portion of obligations under          
     capital leases                               146,000       152,000
                                              -----------   -----------
    Total current liabilities                     483,000       675,000
                                              -----------   -----------

Obligations under capital leases,
   net of current portion                         51,000        83,000
Note payable                                     110,000       110,000
                                             -----------   -----------
Total liabilities                                644,000       868,000
                                             -----------   -----------

Stockholders' Equity  
  Preferred stock, at March 31, 1997 
    and December 31, 1996, $.01 par value, 
    authorized 10,000,000 shares, none 
    issued or outstanding                              -            -
  Common stock, at March 31, 1997
    and December 31, 1996 $.04 par value,
    authorized 60,000,000 shares, issued 
    and outstanding  31,391,324 shares         1,256,000    1,256,000 
  Additional paid-in capital                  18,111,000   18,111,000
  Deficit accumulated during the 
    development stage                        (16,071,000) (15,307,000)
                                             -----------  -----------
Total Stockholders' Equity                     3,296,000    4,060,000
                                             -----------  -----------

Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity   $ 3,940,000  $ 4,928,000 
                                             ===========  =========== 


- ----------------------------------------------
See accompanying notes to financial statements 


                                  7

                ACCESS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
                a development stage company

                  Statements of Operations


                                                  
                              Three Months ended March 31,   February 24, 1988
                             ---------------------------     (inception) to
                                 1997             1996       March 31, 1997
                             -------------    -------------    -------------
                                                              
Revenues
Sponsored research and 
     development              $         -      $         -      $ 2,711,000
Licensing revenue                 138,000                -          138,000
Option income                           -          165,000        2,039,000
                             -------------    -------------    -------------
Total Revenues                    138,000          165,000        4,888,000
                             -------------    -------------    -------------

Expenses
Research and development          504,000          208,000        6,680,000
General and administrative        405,000          309,000        5,484,000
Depreciation and amortization      32,000           36,000          926,000
Write-off of excess purchase 
    price                               -        8,314,000        8,314,000
                             -------------    -------------    -------------
Total Expenses                    941,000        8,867,000       21,404,000
                             -------------    -------------    -------------

Loss from operations             (803,000)      (8,702,000)     (16,516,000)
                             -------------    -------------    -------------

Other Income (Expense)
  Interest and miscellaneous 
     income                        47,000           30,000          702,000
  Interest expense                 (8,000)         (13,000)        (130,000)
                             -------------    -------------    -------------

Loss before income taxes         (764,000)      (8,685,000)     (15,944,000)
Provision for income taxes              -                -          127,000
                             -------------    -------------    -------------

Net Loss                      $  (764,000)    $ (8,685,000)    $(16,071,000)
                             =============    =============    =============
Loss per share                     ($0.02)          ($0.34)
                             =============    =============

Average number of common 
   and equivalent common 
   shares outstanding          31,391,324       25,535,239 
                             =============    =============


- ----------------------------------------------          
See accompanying notes to financial statements


                                       8

                 ACCESS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
                 a development stage company

                  Statements of Cash Flows
     

                                                        
                              Three Months ended March 31,   February 24, 1988
                              ----------------------------    (inception) to
                                   1996           1997         March 31, 1997
                              -------------    -------------    -------------
                                                        
Cash Flows form Operating Activities
Net loss                       $  (764,000)     $(8,685,000)    $(16,071,000)
Adjustments to reconcile net 
  loss to cash used in 
  operating activities:
Write-off of excess purchase price       -        8,314,000        8,314,000
Consulting expense related
 to warrants granted                     -                -          344,000
Depreciation and amortization       32,000           36,000          926,000
Change in assets and liabilities:
  Accounts receivable               (1,000)           3,000           (2,000)
  Prepaid expenses and other
    current assets                  19,000          (61,000)        (172,000)
  Other assets                           -                -           (7,000)
  Accounts payable and
    accrued expenses              (186,000)         148,000          290,000
  Unearned revenue                       -         (150,000)               -
                              -------------    -------------    -------------
Net Cash Used in 
  Operating Activities            (900,000)        (395,000)      (6,378,000)
                              -------------    -------------    -------------

Cash Flows From Investing Activities
  Capital expenditures              (5,000)          (1,000)      (1,153,000)
                              -------------    -------------    -------------
Net Cash Used in
 Investing Activities               (5,000)          (1,000)      (1,153,000)
                              -------------    -------------    -------------

Cash Flows From Financing Activities
  Payments of principal on obligations 
    under capital leases           (38,000)         (21,000)        (314,000)
  Proceeds from notes payable            -          110,000          721,000
  Proceeds from merger with Chemex
    Pharmaceuticals                      -        1,587,000        1,587,000
  Proceeds from stock 
    issuances, net                       -        5,503,000        9,022,000
                              -------------    -------------    -------------
Net Cash Provided By (used in) 
   Financing Activities            (38,000)       7,179,000       11,016,000
                              -------------    -------------    -------------
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and
   Cash Equivalents               (943,000)       6,783,000        3,485,000
Cash and Cash Equivalents
 at Beginning of Period          4,428,000           30,000               -
                              -------------    -------------    ------------
Cash and Cash Equivalents
 at End of Period             $  3,485,000     $  6,813,000     $  3,485,000
                              =============    =============    =============

Supplemental disclosure of non cash transactions:
  eliminations of note payable to Chemex
      Pharmaceutical due
          to merger           $         -      $    100,000
                                                        

- ----------------------------------------------
See accompanying notes to financial statements


                                 9
 
                     ACCESS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
                     a development stage company
                    Notes to Financial Statements
              Three Months Ended March 31, 1997 and 1996

(1)     Interim Financial Statements

        The balance sheet as of March 31, 1997 and the  
        statements of operations and cash flows for the 
        three months ended March 31, 1997 and 1996 were 
        prepared by management without audit.  In the   
        opinion of management, all adjustments, including 
        only normal recurring adjustments necessary for 
        the fair presentation of the financial position, 
        results of operations, and changes in  financial 
        position for such periods, have been made.      
        Certain reclassifications have been made to     
        prior year financial statements to conform with 
        the March 31, 1997 presentation.

        Certain information and footnote disclosures    
        normally included in financial statements       
        prepared in accordance with generally accepted  
        accounting principles have been condensed or    
        omitted.  It is suggested that these financial  
        statements be read in conjunction with the      
        financial statements and notes thereto included 
        in the Company's Annual Report to the SEC on Form 
        10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996.  The 
        results of operations for the period ended March 
        31, 1997 are not necessarily indicative of the  
        operating results which may be expected for a   
        full year.  The balance sheet as of December 31, 
        1996 contains financial information taken from  
        the audited financial statements as of that date.

(2)     With the Company's current budget and it's      
        anticipated option and licensing revenues,
        management believes working capital will cover  
        planned operations through the end of 1998.  If
        the anticipated revenues are delayed or do not  
        occur or the Company is unsuccessful in raising
        additional capital on acceptable terms, research 
        and development and general and administrative
        expenditures would be curtailed so that working 
        capital would cover operations through
        approximately the end of 1998.

(3)     SFAS No. 125. "Accounting For Transfers and     
        Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments
        of Liabilities", effective for transfers and    
        servicing of financial assets and extinguishments 
        of liabilities occurring after December 31, 1996 
        was adopted by the Company and does not have a
        material impact on the Company's financial      
        position, results of operations, or liquidity.  
        This Statement provides accounting and reporting 
        standards for transfers and servicing of        
        financial assets and extinguishments of         
        liabilities based on consistent application of a 
        financial-components approach that focuses on   
        control.  It distinguishes transfers of financial 
        assets that are sales from transfers that are   
        secured borrowings.  

(4)     On April 25, 1997, the Company filed a Definitive 
        Proxy Statement with the Securities and
        Exchange Commission requesting shareholder      
        approval to amend Access' Certificate of
        Incorporation, as amended, to effect a          
        recapitalization of the Company through a one for 
        four reverse stock split of Access common stock 
        (the "Common Stock") and decrease the number of
        authorized shares of Common Stock from 60.0     
        million to 25.0 million.  This proposal, if
        approved, would decrease the number of          
        outstanding shares of Common Stock from         
        approximately 31.4 million to 7.9 million.

                                10

         If the proposal is approved by shareholders, the 
        Company intends to submit an application for
        listing on the NASDAQ SmallCap Market or an     
        exchange if it meets all qualifications for such
        listing.  The Company believes that securing a  
        NASDAQ or an exchange listing along with the
        reverse split would improve Access' ability to  
        finance the Company's research activities under
        more favorable terms since institutional        
        investors and investment community members which
        generally have restrictions on investing in 
        unlisted companies.  There can be no assurances 
        the market price immediately after the          
        implementation of the proposed reverse stock    
        split will increase, and if it does increase,   
        there can be no assurance that such increase can 
        be maintained for any period of time, or that   
        such market price will approximate four times the 
        market price before the proposed reverse stock  
        split.  There can be no assurances that the     
        Company will be listed on NASDAQ SmallCap Market
         or an exchange.

(5)     On February 5, 1997 the Company announced the   
        signing of a letter of intent to enter into
        collaboration with The Dow Chemical Company     
        ("Dow") for the development of products
        incorporating Dow's chelation technology and    
        Access' bioresponsive polymer systems.  The
        closing of the agreement is subject to          
        negotiation of definitive documents and final   
        approval by both parties.  The collaboration will 
        focus on the development of MRI contrast agents 
        and radiopharmaceutical diagnostics and         
        therapeutics.  The advancement of the Access    
        developments in these areas are dependent on    
        securing chelation technology, which encapsulates 
        metals to avoid adverse effects on the body.

(6)     On April 26, 1996, Access executed a letter of  
        intent to acquire Tacora Corp., a privately-held
        pharmaceutical company based in Seattle.  The   
        transaction is expected to close shortly. Under 
        the terms of the letter of intent, the purchase 
        price is contingent upon the achievement of     
        certain milestones.  In addition to cash of     
        $250,000 and $100,000 in common stock paid at   
        closing, stock up to a maximum value of         
        $14,000,000 could be payable to Tacora's        
        shareholders over a 30 month period on an       
        escalating value over the milestone period.  The 
        consummation of the transaction is subject to   
        customary conditions to closing and approval of
        the stockholders of Tacora Corp.

        


   
                          11