SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                         Washington, D.C.  20549

                               Form 10-K

(Mark One)

[X]  Annual report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities   
     Exchange Act of 1934  
     For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997 or

[ ]  Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the 
     Securities Exchange Act of 1934
     For the transition period from             to            
                                    ----------      ----------

                     Commission File Number  0-16109


                      ADVANCED POLYMER SYSTEMS, INC.
         (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

      Delaware                                       94-2875566
- -------------------------------              -----------------------
(State or other jurisdiction of                     (I.R.S. Employer 
incorporation or organization)               Identification  Number)
        

123 Saginaw Drive, Redwood City, California                    94063
- -------------------------------------------                ---------
(Address of principal executive offices)                   (Zip Code)


Registrant's telephone number, including area code:   (650) 366-2626
                                                      --------------

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12 (b) of the Act:    None
                                                                ----

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12 (g) of the Act:   
                                        Common Stock ($.01 par value)
                                       -----------------------------

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 requirements for the past 90 days.
                                                    Yes [X]  No [  ]
                                                       ----     ----

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 
405 of Regulation S-K (ss.229.405 of this chapter) is not contained 
herein, and will not be contained, to the best of the registrant's 
knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by 
reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-
K.                                                               [X]
                                                                 ---

The aggregate market value of the voting stock of the registrant held by 
non-affiliates of the registrant as of February 28, 1998, was $91,391,637.  
(1)

As of February 28, 1998, 19,465,009 shares of registrant's Common Stock, 
$.01 par value, were outstanding.


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1)Excludes 6,292,389 shares held by directors, officers and shareholders 
whose ownership exceeds 5% of the outstanding shares at February 28, 
1998.  Exclusion of such shares should not be construed as indicating 
that the holders thereof possess the power, directly or indirectly, to 
direct the management or policies of the registrant, or that such 
person is controlled by or under common control with the registrant.



DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

                                           Form
                                           10-K
Document                                   Part
- --------                                   ----

Definitive Proxy Statement to be used
 in connection with the Annual Meeting
 of Stockholders.                           III


                       TABLE OF CONTENTS

                             PART I 

ITEM  1.  Business

ITEM  2.  Properties

ITEM  3.  Legal Proceedings

ITEM  4.  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders


                             PART II

ITEM  5.  Market for the Registrant's Common Equity and Related 
          Shareholder Matters

ITEM  6.  Selected Financial Data

ITEM  7.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial 
          Condition and Results of Operations

ITEM  8.  Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

ITEM  9.  Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on 
          Accounting and Financial Disclosure


                             PART III

ITEM 10.  Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant

ITEM 11.  Executive Compensation

ITEM 12.  Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners 
          and Management

ITEM 13.  Certain Relationships and Related Transactions


                             PART IV

ITEM 14.  Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and 
          Reports on Form 8-K

          Signatures


PART I

Item 1.  BUSINESS

INTRODUCTION-FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
- ---------------------------------------

To the extent that this report discusses future financial projections, 
information or expectations about our products or markets, or otherwise 
makes statements about future events, such statements are forward-looking 
and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause 
actual results to differ materially from the statements made.  These 
include, among others, uncertainty associated with timely approval, launch 
and acceptance of new products, the costs associated with new product 
introductions, as well as other factors described below under the headings 
"APS Technology", "Products", "Manufacturing", "Marketing", "Government 
Regulation", "Patents and Trade Secrets" and "Competition".  In addition, 
such risks and uncertainties also include the matters discussed under 
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of 
Operations in Item 7 below.

THE COMPANY
- -----------

Advanced Polymer Systems, Inc. and subsidiaries ("APS" or the "Company") 
is using its patented Microsponge(R) delivery systems and related 
proprietary technologies to enhance the safety, effectiveness and 
aesthetic quality of topical prescription, over-the-counter ("OTC") and 
personal care products.  The Company is currently manufacturing and 
selling Microsponge systems for use by corporate customers in almost 100 
different skin care products sold worldwide.  APS holds 190 issued U.S. 
and foreign patents on its technology and has over 69 other patent 
applications pending.

The Company, founded in February 1983 as a California corporation under 
the name AMCO Polymerics, Inc., changed its name to Advanced Polymer 
Systems, Inc. in 1984 and was reincorporated in Delaware in 1987. 

Products under development or in the marketplace utilize the Company's 
Microsponge systems in three primary ways: 1) as reservoirs releasing 
active ingredients over an extended period of time, 2) as receptacles for 
absorbing undesirable substances, such as excess skin oils, or  3) as 
closed containers holding ingredients away from the skin for therapeutic 
action.  The resulting benefits include extended efficacy, reduced skin 
irritation, cosmetic elegance, formulation flexibility and improved 
product stability.

In February 1997, the Company received Food and Drug Administration 
("FDA") approval for the first ethical pharmaceutical product based on its 
patented Microsponge technology Retin A(R)-Micro(TM) which has been 
licensed to Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical Corporation, a member of the 
Johnson & Johnson ("J&J") family of companies.  This product was launched 
in March 1997.  In September 1994, the Company submitted a New Drug 
Application ("NDA") for a melanin-Microsponge sunscreen.  The NDA was 
found to be non-approvable pending additional information the Company is 
generating.

APS has established several alliances with multinational corporations 
including J&J, Avon and Rhone-Poulenc Rorer for products which incorporate 
Microsponge systems.  The alliance partners receive certain marketing 
rights to the products developed.  In return, APS typically receives an 
initial cash infusion in the form of license fees, future payments 
contingent on the achievement of certain milestones, revenues from the 
manufacture of Microsponge systems, and royalty payments based on third 
party product sales or a share of partner revenues.  For products 
requiring FDA approval, these alliances provide for the partners to pay 
the costs of product development, clinical testing, regulatory approval 
and commercialization.  J&J and Rhone-Poulenc Rorer also have made equity 
investments in the Company.  APS and Dow Corning Corporation formed a 
joint venture alliance in 1992 to develop and commercialize Polytrap(R) and 
Microsponge systems for use in the manufacture of cosmetics and personal 
care products.  In the first quarter of 1996, APS acquired all rights to 
the Polytrap technology from Dow Corning in exchange for 200,000 shares of 
APS common stock.

Effective January 1997, the Company licensed certain of its consumer 
products to Lander Company in the United States and Canada in return for 
guaranteed minimum royalties, revenues from the sale of Microsponge 
systems and research and development funding for new consumer products.  
Lander is responsible for all aspects of commercialization including 
selling, marketing, manufacturing, distribution and customer service.

To maintain quality control over manufacturing, APS has committed 
significant resources to its production processes and polymer systems 
development programs.  The Company's manufacturing facility in Lafayette, 
Louisiana, is responsible for large-scale production of Microsponge 
systems and related technologies.  All products are manufactured according 
to Current Good Manufacturing Practices guidelines ("CGMPs") established 
by the FDA.  In addition, APS has a process development pilot plant in its 
Louisiana facility.  APS also has established relationships with contract 
manufacturers, which provide second-source production capabilities to 
handle growing product demand.  The Company's objective is to utilize 
these third parties selectively, so that it can maintain its flexibility 
and direct the bulk of APS' capital resources to other areas such as 
product and technology development.

APS TECHNOLOGY
- --------------

The fundamental appeal of the Company's Microsponge technology stems from 
the difficulty experienced with conventional formulations in releasing 
active ingredients over an extended period of time.  Cosmetics and skin 
care preparations are intended to work only on the outer layers of the 
skin.  Yet, the typical active ingredient in conventional products is 
present in a relatively high concentration and, when applied to the skin, 
may be rapidly absorbed.  The common result is over-medication, followed 
by a period of under-medication until the next application.  Rashes and 
more serious side effects can occur when the active ingredients rapidly 
penetrate below the skin's surface.  APS' Microsponge technology is 
designed to allow a prolonged rate of release of the active ingredients, 
thereby offering potential reduction in the side effects while maintaining 
the therapeutic efficacy.

Microsponge Systems.  The Company's Microsponge systems are based on 
microscopic, polymer-based microspheres that can bind, suspend or entrap a 
wide variety of substances and then be incorporated into a formulated 
product, such as a gel, cream, liquid or powder.  A single Microsponge is 
as tiny as a particle of talcum powder, measuring less than one-thousandth 
of an inch in diameter.  Like a true sponge, each microsphere consists of 
a myriad of interconnecting voids within a non-collapsible structure that 
can accept a wide variety of substances. The outer surface is typically 
porous, allowing the controlled flow of substances into and out of the 
sphere.  Several primary characteristics, or parameters, of the 
Microsponge system can be defined during the production phase to obtain 
spheres that are tailored to specific product applications and vehicle 
compatibility.

Polytrap Systems.  In January 1996, the Company signed a definitive 
agreement with Dow Corning Corporation, one of the world's largest 
suppliers of ingredients used in cosmetics and personal care products, to 
acquire full rights to Dow Corning's Polytrap technology and full 
responsibility for the continuing commercialization of Polytrap systems in 
exchange for 200,000 shares of APS common stock.  Polytrap systems are 
designed to: 1) absorb skin oils and eliminate shine, 2) provide a smooth 
and silky feel to product formulation, 3) entrap and deliver various 
ingredients in personal care products and 4) convert liquids into powders.

Microsponge and Polytrap systems are made of biologically inert polymers.  
Extensive safety studies have demonstrated that the polymers are non-
irritating, non-mutagenic, non-allergenic, non-toxic and non-
biodegradable.  As a result, the human body cannot convert them into other 
substances or break them down.  Furthermore, although they are microscopic 
in size, these systems are too large to pass through the stratum corneum 
(skin surface) when incorporated into topical products.

Colon-specific Systems.  A Microsponge system offers the potential to hold 
active ingredients in a protected environment and provide controlled 
delivery of oral medication to the lower gastrointestinal ("GI") tract.  
This approach, if successful, should open up entirely new opportunities 
for APS.

Bioerodible Systems.  The Company is also developing systems based on new 
bioerodible polymers for the delivery of small and large molecule drugs, 
including proteins and peptides, which, if successful, should open up new 
fields of opportunity in systemic drug delivery arenas.

PRODUCTS
- --------

APS is focusing its efforts primarily on the ethical dermatology, OTC skin 
care and personal care markets in which Microsponge and Polytrap systems 
can provide substantial advantages.  Certain additional applications for 
the Company's technology are also under development, as noted below.

Ethical Dermatology
- -------------------

APS defines "ethical dermatology" products as prescription and non-
prescription drugs that are promoted primarily through the medical 
profession for the prevention and treatment of skin problems or diseases.  
The Company is developing several ethical dermatology products which will 
require approval of the FDA before they can be sold in the United States.  
Although these pharmaceuticals are likely to take longer to reach the 
marketplace than OTC and personal care products, due to the regulatory 
approval process, the Company believes that the benefits offered by 
Microsponge delivery systems will allow valuable product differentiation 
in this large and potentially profitable market.  Results from various 
human clinical studies reaffirm that this technology offers the potential 
to reduce the drug side effects, maintain the therapeutic efficacy and 
potentially increase patient compliance with the treatment regimen.  The 
following ethical dermatology products have been developed or are under 
development by APS:

Tretinoin Acne Medication.  In February 1997, the Company received FDA 
approval for Microsponge-entrapped tretinoin for improved acne treatment.  
This submission to the FDA represented the culmination of an intensive 
research and clinical development program involving approximately 1,150 
patients.  Tretinoin has been marketed in the U.S. by Ortho 
Dermatological, a Johnson & Johnson subsidiary, under the brand name 
RETIN-A(R) since 1971.  It has proven to be a highly effective topical 
acne medication.  However, skin irritation among sensitive individuals can 
limit patient compliance with the prescribed therapy.  The Company 
believes its patented approach to drug delivery reduces the potentially 
irritating side effects of tretinoin. Ortho Dermatological began marketing 
this product in March 1997.

Melanin-Microsponge Sunscreen.  Concern about the sun's harmful effects 
and its role in aging and skin cancer has resulted in heightened awareness 
of preventative measures in the sunscreen  market.  APS has developed a 
sun protectant designed to provide the highest-available protection 
against the sun's UVA rays as well as protection from the burning UVB 
rays.  This unique APS product candidate incorporates the Company's 
melanin-Microsponge system containing genetically engineered melanin, a 
natural pigment found in skin. 

The Company filed its NDA in September 1994 for marketing clearance.  
Since it involves an entirely new ethical pharmaceutical ingredient and 
application, the regulatory review process is lengthier and more complex.  
The NDA was found to be non-approvable pending additional information 
which the Company is generating. There can be no assurance that U.S. FDA 
approval will be received.  The Company has, however, begun to 
commercialize melanin-Microsponge systems through strategic partners in 
Europe and South America, where regulatory approval is not required for 
the sale of sunscreen products.  If approval is received in the U.S., the 
Company plans to market this product through a strategic partner.

5-Fluorouracil.  Another ethical dermatology product candidate, 
Microsponge-entrapped 5-Fluorouracil ("5-FU"), was the subject of an 
Investigational New Drug ("IND") filing in early 1995.  5-FU is an 
effective chemotherapeutic agent for treating actinic keratosis, a pre-
cancerous, hardened-skin condition caused by excessive exposure to 
sunlight.  However, patient compliance with the treatment regimen is poor, 
due to significant, adverse side effects.  Through a joint agreement with 
Rhone-Poulenc Rorer, the Company is developing a Microsponge-enhanced 
topical formulation that potentially offers a less irritating solution for 
treating actinic keratosis.  Phase III clinical studies have been 
initiated.

Tretinoin Photodamage Treatment.  Initial product development was 
undertaken in 1994 to develop a Microsponge system product for the 
treatment of photodamage, which contributes to the premature aging of skin 
and has been implicated in skin cancer.  Should an IND be filed for this 
product, funding for this second tretinoin treatment indication will be 
provided by J&J's Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical subsidiary.

Cosmeceutical Products
- ----------------------

Retinol.  Retinol is a highly pure form of Vitamin A which has 
demonstrated a remarkable ability for maintaining the skin's youthful 
appearance.  However, it has been available only on a limited basis 
because it becomes unstable when mixed with other ingredients.  APS has 
been able to stabilize retinol in a formulation which is cosmetically 
elegant and which has a low potential for skin irritation.  The Company 
has executed agreements with five companies, each of which has marketing 
strength in a particular channel of distribution.  The channels for which 
the Company has licensed retinol are direct marketing (Avon), 
dermatologists (Medicis), salons and spas (Sothys), plastic surgery 
(BioMedic), and prestige (La Prairie).  The Company retains full rights to 
alternate channels of distribution, including department stores and other 
mass merchandisers.  Additionally, the Company formed an alliance with 
R.P. Scherer to develop and commercialize unit-dose skin care treatments 
for aging skin, combining retinol and/or Vitamin C.

In May 1997, the Company entered into an agreement under which it licensed 
exclusive rights to broad-based patents covering the topical use of 
Vitamin K.  Potential applications include bruises from surgery or 
traumatic injury, spider veins, age-related purpura, rosacea and a variety 
of other cosmetic dermatological conditions.  Subsequently, the Company 
licensed rights to commercialize Vitamin K to Avon in the direct-to-
consumer channel, to BioMedic for recommendation by plastic surgeons and 
to Medicis for recommendation by dermatologists in the U.S.  Again, the 
Company retains full rights to alternate channels of distribution.

Personal Care and OTC Products
- ------------------------------

APS technologies are ideal for skin and personal care products.  They can 
retain several times their weight in liquids, respond to a variety of 
release stimuli, and absorb large amounts of excess skin oil, all while 
retaining an elegant feel on the skin's surface.  In fact, APS 
technologies are currently employed in almost 100 products sold by major 
cosmetic and toiletry companies worldwide.  Among these products are skin 
cleansers, conditioners, oil control lotions, moisturizers, deodorants, 
razors, lipsticks, makeup, powders, and eye shadows.

Entrapping cosmetic ingredients in APS' proprietary Microsponge delivery 
systems offers several advantages, including improved physical and 
chemical stability, greater available concentrations, controlled release 
of the active ingredients, reduced skin irritation and sensitization, and 
unique tactile qualities.  

Other Product Applications
- --------------------------

While not the principal focus of APS development efforts, other products 
could benefit from the value-added application of the Company's polymer 
technology.  To date, the Company has chosen to apply its technology to 
the following non-skin-care field:

Analytical Standards.  APS initially developed microsphere precursors to 
the Microsponge for use as a testing standard for gauging the purity of 
municipal drinking water.  Marketed by APS nationwide, these microspheres 
are suspended in pure water to form an accurate, stable, reproducible 
turbidity standard for the calibration of turbidimeters used to test water 
purity.

APS believes its Analytical Standards technology has much broader 
application than testing the turbidity of water.  The Company has begun to 
develop standards for industrial use for the calibration of 
spectrophotometers and colorimeters.

MANUFACTURING
- -------------

Polymer Raw Material.  Raw materials for the Company's polymers are 
petroleum-based monomers which are widely available at low cost.  The 
monomers have not been subject to unavailability or significant price 
fluctuations.

Process Engineering and Development.  The Company employs chemical 
engineers and operates a pilot-plant facility for developing production 
processes.  The equipment used for manufacturing and process development 
is commercially available in industrial sizes and is installed in the 
Company's production facility in Lafayette, Louisiana.

Microsponge Production.  APS has committed significant resources to the 
production process and polymer systems development required to 
commercialize its products.  The Company has to date manufactured most 
Microsponge systems in company-owned and operated facilities.

The Company's manufacturing facility in Lafayette, Louisiana, is 
responsible for large-scale production of Microsponge systems and related 
technologies.  The Company initiated a plant expansion project during 1997 
in anticipation of higher volume requirements.  This is expected to be 
completed during 1998.  APS also has established relationships with 
contract manufacturers which provide second-source production 
capabilities.  The Company's objective is to utilize these third parties 
selectively, so that it can maintain its flexibility and direct the bulk 
of APS' capital resources to other areas, such as product development and 
marketing.  All products are manufactured according to CGMP.  In addition, 
APS has a process development pilot plant in its Louisiana facility.

MARKETING
- ---------

A key part of APS' business strategy is to ally the Company with major 
marketing partners.  The Company has therefore negotiated several 
agreements for the development of Microsponge delivery systems, the supply 
of entrapped ingredients, and the marketing of formulated products.  To 
create an incentive for APS to develop products as quickly as possible, 
these development and license agreements provide, in some cases, for 
substantial payments by the client companies during the period of product 
development and test marketing.  Additionally, some agreements provide for 
non-refundable payments on the achievement of certain key milestones, 
royalties on sales of formulated products, and minimum annual payments to 
maintain exclusivity.  APS has, in some product areas, retained co-
marketing rights.

In general, APS grants limited marketing exclusivity in defined markets to 
client companies, while retaining the right to manufacture the Microsponge 
delivery systems it develops for these clients.  However, after 
development is completed and a client commercializes a formulated product 
utilizing the Company's delivery systems, APS can exert only limited 
influence over the manner and extent of the client's marketing efforts.  
APS' client companies may cancel their agreements without penalty.

The Company's key relationships are set forth below:

Johnson & Johnson Inc.  In May 1992, APS and Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical 
Corporation ("Ortho"), a subsidiary of J&J, entered into a licensing 
agreement related to tretinoin-based products incorporating APS' 
Microsponge technology.  As part of the agreement, in 1992, license fees 
of $6,000,000 were paid to APS.  In addition, J&J purchased 723,006 shares 
of newly issued APS common stock for $8,000,000.  In 1994, J&J purchased 
1,000,000 additional shares of newly issued common stock for $5,000,000.  
J&J also received 200,000 warrants that expired in 1996.  The number of 
shares issued to J&J was increased by 432,101 pursuant to an agreed upon 
formula tied to the trading price of APS stock prior to January 1996.  In 
March 1998, J&J announced that it had divested its initial investment of 
723,006 shares of the Company's stock as part of a rebalancing of its 
investment portfolio.  The license fee provides Ortho with exclusive 
distribution or license rights for all Ortho tretinoin products utilizing 
the APS Microsponge system.  Ortho's exclusivity will continue as long as 
certain annual minimum payments are made.  In addition, Ortho will pay 
license fees and milestone payments over time to APS.  APS also receives 
royalty payments on net product sales worldwide.

In February 1997, APS received FDA approval for the first product covered 
by this agreement, Microsponge-entrapped tretinoin.  This product is being 
marketed by Ortho Dermatological beginning March 1997 as Retin-A(R) Micro 
(TM).  APS received a payment of $3,000,000 from Ortho upon receipt of the 
approval, of which half is a milestone payment which was recognized as 
revenue in 1997 and half is prepaid royalties which was recorded as 
deferred revenues.

Rhone-Poulenc Rorer.  In March 1992, APS and Rhone-Poulenc Rorer ("RPR") 
restructured their 1989 joint venture agreement to give APS more freedom 
in developing products.  Under the new terms, APS regained from RPR 
worldwide marketing rights to products in the prescription dermatology 
field, including the melanin-based sunscreen product in which RPR had 
invested approximately $4,000,000 in development costs.  APS also gained 
ownership of a partially-completed manufacturing facility in Vacaville, 
California, which the Company sold in December 1995.  Also under the new 
terms, RPR invested $2,000,000 in cash in APS and relieved APS of the 
obligation to repay a $1,500,000 advance.  In return, RPR received 705,041 
shares of APS stock and maintains a minority share in the potential net 
profits of the melanin-based sunscreen product.  Furthermore, RPR has 
agreed to continue funding the exploration and development of certain 
dermatology applications of APS' technology in which APS shares marketing 
rights.  Product applications include a 5-FU treatment for pre-cancerous 
actinic keratosis.  In 1995, RPR filed an IND application to begin human 
clinical testing of 5-FU.  Phase III clinical trials have commenced.

Dow Corning.  In July 1991, APS and Dow Corning Corporation formed a 
collaborative alliance to manufacture and sell both APS' Microsponge and 
Dow Corning's Polytrap technologies worldwide in the cosmetics and 
toiletries field.  Under the agreement, Dow Corning provided financial 
assistance in this venture, as well as worldwide sales and support 
services; APS contributed its technology, research and development, 
technical support and manufacturing capability for both the Microsponge 
and Polytrap products.  In the first quarter of 1996, APS acquired full 
rights to the Polytrap technology and full responsibility for the 
continuing commercialization in exchange for 200,000 shares of APS common 
stock.

Lander Company.  In March 1996, the Company formed a collaboration with 
Lander Company, Inc. to develop and provide premium quality, store-brand 
personal care products based on the Company's patented delivery system 
technology.  Under terms of the agreement, the Company received a $3 
million equity investment and license fees and will receive additional 
royalties on product sales and research and development funding for new 
consumer products.  APS and Lander will collaborate on product 
formulations and marketing preparations and Lander will be responsible for 
sales, manufacturing and distribution to retailers.

Effective January 1997, APS established a new strategic alliance with 
Lander under which Lander was granted full marketing rights in the United 
States and Canada to Microsponge-based Exact(R) acne medications, Take-
Off(R) facial cleansers, Everystep(R) Foot Powder, as well as in-licensed 
consumer products.  Under terms of the agreement, Lander is responsible 
for all aspects of commercialization including selling, marketing, 
manufacturing, distribution and customer service.  APS receives guaranteed 
minimum royalties, revenues from the sale of Microsponge systems and 
research and development funding for new branded consumer products.

Avon.  In August 1996, APS signed a license and supply agreement with Avon 
under which APS is providing Avon with a formulation incorporating 
Microsponge delivery systems and retinol, an ingredient developed to 
improve the appearance of aging skin. Under terms of the agreement, APS 
received upfront licensing fees and will receive manufacturing revenues on 
supply of product.  In January 1998, the Company announced that it had 
signed a new agreement with Avon, substantially expanding Avon's access to 
Microsponge systems technology.  The expanded agreement provides Avon with 
exclusive worldwide rights in Avon's channel of distribution to additional 
cosmetic products utilizing the Company's technology.  In order for Avon 
to maintain exclusivity the Company will receive annual royalties on 
worldwide sales and research and development funding.  Jointly developed 
products can be marketed independently by the Company.

Medicis.  In October 1996, APS entered into an agreement with Medicis 
Pharmaceutical Corporation for the commercialization of certain 
dermatology products.  Medicis will initially be responsible for marketing 
two newly developed APS products in the United States.  In return, APS 
received licensing fees and a share of revenues, with guaranteed minimums.  
In November 1997, the Company licensed Vitamin K to Medicis for sale in 
the U.S. to dermatologists.  In return, the Company received an additional  
fee and will share revenues on product sales.

Procter & Gamble.  In the first quarter of 1992, Scott Paper Company began 
the regional U.S. launch of Baby Fresh with Ultra Guard baby wipes.  Ultra 
Guard is Scott's trademark for an APS Microsponge system that contains 
dimethicone to help protect a baby's skin from diaper rash.  In the first 
quarter of 1996, Kimberly-Clark completed its acquisition of Scott Paper 
Company.  One of the conditions of the acquisition imposed by the Federal 
Trade Commission was that Kimberly-Clark divest the acquired baby wipe 
business.  Procter & Gamble bought the baby wipe business in 1996 and now 
markets the product under the Pampers brand name.  In July 1997, Procter & 
Gamble expanded its agreement with the Company to include adult wipe.  
These have been launched under the Attends(R) name to healthcare 
institutions.

Pharmacia and Upjohn.  In January 1998, the Company announced an agreement 
with Pharmacia and Upjohn to develop and commercialize a new product for a 
major global category.  Advanced Polymer's Microsponge system technology 
will be utilized to deliver a proprietary Pharmacia and Upjohn therapeutic 
agent topically.

GOVERNMENT REGULATION
- ---------------------

Ethical Products
- ----------------

In order to clinically test, produce and sell products for human 
therapeutic use, mandatory procedures and safety evaluations established 
by the FDA and comparable agencies in foreign countries must be followed.  
The procedure for seeking and obtaining the required governmental 
clearances for a new therapeutic product includes pre-clinical animal 
testing to determine safety and efficacy, followed by human clinical 
testing, and can take many years and require substantial expenditures.  In 
the case of third-party agreements, APS expects that the corporate client 
will fund the testing and the approval process with guidance from APS.  
The Company intends to seek the necessary regulatory approvals for its 
proprietary dermatology products as they are being developed. 

APS' facilities, utilized to manufacture pharmaceutical raw materials, are 
subject to periodic governmental inspections.  If violations of applicable 
regulations are noted during these inspections, significant problems may 
arise affecting the continued marketing of any products manufactured by 
the Company.

The Company's plant in Lafayette, Louisiana operates according to CGMP 
prescribed by the FDA.  This compliance has entailed modifying certain 
manufacturing equipment, as well as implementing certain record keeping 
and other practices and procedures which are required of all 
pharmaceutical manufacturers.  The Company believes it is in compliance 
with federal and state laws regarding occupational safety, laboratory 
practices, environmental protection and hazardous substance control.

Personal Care Products
- ----------------------

Under current regulations, the market introduction of non-medicated 
cosmetics, toiletries and skin care products does not require prior formal 
registration or approval by the FDA or regulatory agencies in foreign 
countries, although this situation could change in the future.  The 
cosmetics industry has established self-regulating procedures and the 
Company, like most companies, performs its own toxicity and consumer 
tests.

PATENTS AND TRADE SECRETS
- -------------------------

As part of the Company's strategy to protect its current products and to 
provide a foundation for future products, APS has filed a number of United 
States patent applications on inventions relating to specific products, 
product groups, and processing technology.  The Company also has filed 
foreign patent applications on its polymer technology with the European 
Union, Japan, Australia, South Africa, Canada, Korea and Taiwan. The 
Company received U.S. patent protection for its basic Microsponge system 
in 1987 and now has a total of 41 issued U.S. patents and an additional 
149 issued foreign patents.  The Company has over 69 pending patent 
applications worldwide.

Although the Company believes the bases for these patents and patent 
applications are sound, they are untested, and there is no assurance that 
they will not be successfully challenged.  There can be no assurance that 
any patent already issued will be of commercial value, or that any patent 
applications will result in issued patents of commercial value, or that 
APS' technology will not be held to infringe on patents held by others.

APS relies on unpatented trade secrets and know-how to protect certain 
aspects of its production technologies.  APS' employees, consultants, 
advisors and corporate clients have entered into confidentiality 
agreements with the Company.  These agreements, however, may not 
necessarily provide meaningful protection for the Company's trade secrets 
or proprietary know-how in the event of unauthorized use or disclosure.  
In addition, others may obtain access to, or independently develop, these 
trade secrets or know-how.

COMPETITION
- -----------

Although Microsponge and Polytrap systems, by virtue of their highly 
porous structure, are unique delivery systems, there are many alternate 
delivery systems available.  However, in the cosmetic and cosmeceutical 
fields, Microsponge and Polytrap systems are particularly versatile at 
allowing the entrapment of active agents and controlled release by simple 
changes in vehicles.

Other delivery systems based on microparticulate materials could compete 
with Microsponge and Polytrap systems.  Among these are liposomes, 
microcapsules and microspheres.  Liposomes are small phospholipid vesicles 
capable of entrapping and releasing active agents.  However, they are 
significantly more expensive to manufacture, less versatile and their 
stability is a concern.  While they are primarily used in systemic 
applications, they are also used in the cosmetic arena.

The most closely related systems are microcapsules and microspheres.  
Microcapsules are spherical particles containing an active agent in the 
core, surrounded by a polymeric membrane.  Mircospheres are spherical 
particles containing the active agent dispersed in a polymeric matrix.  
The major distinguishing feature between Microsponge and Polytrap systems 
and microcapsules, or microspheres is that the structure of Microsponge 
and Polytrap systems is highly porous, while microspheres or microcapsules 
are solid particles with no internal voids.

Thus, while one type of Microsponge system can be used to entrap a variety 
of active agents and release these at desired rates by vehicle changes, 
different active agents and different release profiles can only be 
achieved with microcapsules or microspheres by a complete change in 
polymer and fabrication methods.

HUMAN RESOURCES
- ---------------

As of March 5, 1998, the Company had 94 full-time employees, 4 of whom 
hold PhDs.  There were 30 employees engaged in research and development 
and quality control, 36 in manufacturing and production activities and 28 
working in customer service, finance, marketing, human resources and 
administration.

The Company considers its relations with employees to be satisfactory.  
None of the Company's employees is covered by a collective bargaining 
agreement.


Item 2.  PROPERTIES

The Company occupied 23,040 square feet of laboratory, office and 
warehouse space in Redwood City, California as of December 31, 1997 and 
currently occupies 2,800 square feet of office space in Greenwich, 
Connecticut. Subsequent to year end, the Company relocated its Redwood 
City operations to a 26,067 square-foot facility in the same city.  The 
annual rent expense for such facility is expected to be approximately 
$642,000.  The annual rent expense for the Greenwich office is 
approximately $76,000.

The Company occupies a production facility and warehouse in Lafayette, 
Louisiana, with a current annual capacity, depending upon the application, 
to produce 1,000,000 to 3,000,000 pounds of entrapped materials.  The 
existing plant, with contiguous acreage, has been designed to allow 
significant expansion.  The construction of the facility in 1986 was 
financed primarily by 15-year tax-exempt industrial development bonds.  In 
1990, the bonds were refinanced.  The maturity date of the bonds occurs in 
installments beginning June 30, 1993, and ending December 31, 2000.  The 
bonds bear a fixed interest rate of 10%.  In 1995, the Company 
extinguished the bond liability through an "insubstance defeasance" 
transaction by placing U.S. government securities in an irrevocable trust 
to fund all future interest and principal payments.  In 1995 the Company 
sold certain assets and subsequently leased them back for a certain fixed 
monthly rent over a period of forty-eight months.  The Company reported 
this transaction as a financing transaction.

The Company's existing research and development and administrative 
facilities are not yet being used at full capacity and management believes 
that such facilities are adequate and suitable for its current and 
anticipated needs.  Additional manufacturing capacity could be required as 
APS expands commercial production.  It is anticipated that any additional 
production facilities would be built on land the Company presently 
occupies in Lafayette, Louisiana.


Item 3.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

In November, 1997 Biosource Technologies, Inc. ("Biosource") filed a 
complaint against the Company in the San Mateo Superior Court.  Biosource 
claims damages from the Company of an amount not less than $1,050,000, on 
the grounds that the Company has failed to pay certain minimum amounts 
allegedly due under a contract for the supply of melanin.  Biosource also 
claims interest on that sum and costs.

The Company has denied liability, basing its defense on the assertion that 
obligations under the contract have been suspended, because the expected 
FDA approval of the Company's melanin based product has not yet been 
forthcoming.  The Company is vigorously defending the action, and has 
cross claimed for rescission of the contract and restitution of money paid 
thereunder, and for a declaratory judgment that it is not indebted to 
Biosource.

The Company expects that the outcome of this legal proceeding will not 
have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial statements 
considering amounts accrued at December 31, 1997.


Item 4.  SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

   None.


PART II

Item 5.  MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED SHAREHOLDER 
         MATTERS

Shares of the Company's common stock trade on the Nasdaq National Market, 
under the symbol APOS.  As of February 28, 1998, there were 570 holders of 
record of the Company's common stock.

The Company has never paid cash dividends and does not anticipate paying 
cash dividends in the foreseeable future.  The following table sets forth 
for the fiscal periods indicated, the range of high and low sales prices 
for the Company's common stock on the NASDAQ National Market System.




1997             High      Low      1996               High     Low
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 
First Quarter   10 3/8     7 3/8    First Quarter      9 1/4    5 1/4
Second Quarter   8 1/2     6 7/8    Second Quarter    11 1/4    7 7/8
Third Quarter    8 5/8     6 7/8    Third Quarter      9 5/8    5 7/8
Fourth Quarter   8 3/4     6        Fourth Quarter     8 7/8    6 3/4



Item 6.  SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
        (in thousands, except per share data)



For the Years Ended and as of
December 31                        1997      1996      1995      1994      1993
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                          
Statements of Operations
- ------------------------
Product and technology revenues  $16,833     8,197     6,254     7,260   10,266
Consumer products                      -    10,468     9,104     8,624    8,916
Milestone payments                 1,500         -       750         -      750
Research and development, net      3,740     3,506     4,139     6,334    7,343
Selling, marketing and
  advertising                      3,806     8,455     6,560     5,669    6,237
General and administrative         3,552     2,984     3,082     2,844    2,988
Loss on purchase commitment,
  including related inventory         --     1,400       600       685      950
Net loss                            (683)   (9,378)   (9,359)   (9,759)  (9,877)

Basic and diluted
  loss per common share            (0.04)    (0.52)    (0.57)    (0.65)   (0.73)
Weighted average common
  shares outstanding              18,779    17,987    16,459    15,018   13,527


Balance Sheets
- --------------

Working capital                  $ 4,357     3,800     4,976     5,641     4,555
Total assets                      24,180    18,444    23,082    23,508    24,378
Long-term debt, excluding
  current portion                  3,055     5,579     6,355       979     3,355
Shareholders' equity              10,241     5,010     5,233    11,786    10,501



Item 7.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
         and Results of Operations(Dollar amounts are rounded to 
         nearest thousand)

The following tables summarize highlights from the statements of 
operations expressed as a percentage change from the prior year and as a 
percentage of product revenues.

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS HIGHLIGHTS (in thousands)
- --------------------------------------------------


                              For the Years Ended December 31,  Annual % Change
                              --------------------------------  ---------------
                                 1997      1996      1995       97/96    96/95
                                ------    ------    ------      -----    -----
                                                          
Product and technology 
  revenues                     $16,833     8,197     6,254       105%      31%
Consumer products                   --    10,468     9,104      (100%)     15%
Milestone payment                1,500        --       750       N/A     (100%)
                                ------    ------    ------      -----    -----
  Total revenues                18,333    18,665    16,108        (2%)     16%

Cost of sales                    7,164    10,772    11,047       (33%)     (2%)
Research and development, net    3,740     3,506     4,139         7%     (15%)
Selling and marketing            3,806     5,405     4,756       (30%)     14%
Advertising and promotion           --     3,050     1,805      (100%)     69%
General and administrative       3,552     2,984     3,082        19%      (3%)
Loss on purchase commitments, 
  Including related inventory       --     1,400       600      (100%)    133%




                                    1997        1996        1995
                                    ----        ----        ----
                                                    
Expenses expressed as a percentage 
  of total revenues excluding
  milestone payment:
Cost of sales                        43%         58%         72%
Research and development, net        22%         19%         27%
Selling and marketing                23%         29%         31%
Advertising and promotion            --          16%         12%
General and administrative           21%         16%         20%
Loss on purchase commitments, 
  including related inventory        --           8%          4%



Results of Operations for the years ended December 31, 1997 and 1996
- --------------------------------------------------------------------

Except for statements of historical fact, the statements herein are 
forward-looking and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties 
that could cause actual results to differ materially from the statements 
made.  These include, among others, uncertainty associated with timely 
approval, launch and acceptance of new products, development of new 
products, establishment of new corporate alliances, progress in research 
and development programs and other risks described below or identified 
from time to time in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission 
filings.

The Company's revenues are derived principally from product sales, license 
fees and royalties.  The Company is currently manufacturing and selling 
Microsponge(R) delivery systems for use by customers in almost 100 
different skin care products.  Under strategic alliance arrangements 
entered into with certain corporations, APS can receive an initial license 
fee, future milestone payments, royalties based on third party product 
sales or a share of partners' revenues, and revenues from the supply of 
Microsponge and Polytrap systems.

These strategic alliances are intended to provide the Company with the 
marketing expertise and/or financial strength of other companies.  In this 
respect, the Company's periodic financial results are dependent upon the 
degree of success of current collaborations and the Company's ability to 
negotiate acceptable collaborative agreements in the future.

Product and technology revenues for 1997 totalled $16,833,000, an increase 
of $8,636,000 or 105% over the prior year.

This increase resulted primarily from the launches of a variety of new 
products incorporating the Microsponge(R) system technology by the 
Company's marketing partners and technology revenues received from certain 
corporate partners.  These product launches included Retin-A(R) Micro(TM) 
by Ortho Dermatological, Anew Retinol Recovery Complex PM Treatment which 
is marketed by Avon, and TxSystems(TM) AFIRM retinol formulation and Beta 
Lift peel kits which are marketed by Medicis Pharmaceutical.

Total revenues for 1997 of $18,333,000 also included recognition of 
$1,500,000 as a portion of a milestone payment received from J&J upon 
receipt of marketing clearance from the FDA for Retin-A Micro in February 
1997.

Total revenues of $18,665,000 for 1996 included $10,468,000 from sales of 
consumer products most of which were licensed out to Lander Company 
effective January 1, 1997.

Gross profit on total revenues excluding milestone payment for 1997 was 
$9,669,000, an increase of $1,776,000 over the prior year.  Expressed as a 
percentage of total revenues excluding milestone payment, gross profit 
increased from 42% to 57% due to increased sales of higher margin 
proprietary cosmeceutical products, technology revenues and increased 
manufacturing volume.

Operating expenses for 1997 of $11,098,000 represented a decrease of 
$5,247,000 or 32% from the prior year total of $16,345,000.  Operating 
expenses for the prior year included a loss on purchase commitment for the 
purchase of melanin for $1,400,000.

Selling and marketing expense decreased by $1,599,000 or 30% from the 
year-ago period to $3,806,000 in 1997.  This substantial decrease was due 
primarily to the execution of the Company's strategic plan whereby it is 
no longer responsible for the direct selling, advertising and distribution 
of consumer products.  Effective January 1, 1997, the Company out-licensed 
most of its consumer products to Lander Company in return for a royalty 
stream.  This also resulted in the elimination of spending on advertising 
and promotion of products which had been $3,050,000 in the prior year.

Research and development expenses increased by $234,000 or 7% to 
$3,740,000 in 1997 as the Company continued to invest in the expansion of 
its technology base.

General and administrative expense increased by $568,000 or 19% to 
$3,552,000 in 1997 due mainly to increased spending on a variety of 
outside services.

Interest income increased by $47,000 or 15% to $370,000 due to higher 
average cash balances.  Interest expense decreased by $171,000 or 14% to 
$1,053,000 due mainly to scheduled principal repayments during the year.

The net loss for the year of $683,000 represented a decrease of 93% or 
$8,695,000 from the year-ago loss of $9,378,000.

Results of Operations for the years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995
- --------------------------------------------------------------------

Product and technology revenues for 1996 totalled $8,197,000, an increase 
of $1,943,000 or 31% over the prior year.  This increase was due primarily 
to increased shipments of Microsponge systems to manufacturers of 
cosmetics and personal care products and up-front fees received from 
corporate partners and licensees.

Sales of consumer products increased by $1,364,000 or 15% to $10,468,000 
in 1996.  Most of these products were licensed to Lander Company effective 
January 1, 1997 in return for a royalty stream, as part of the Company's 
strategy to no longer be responsible for the direct marketing of its 
products.

Revenues for 1995 also included a milestone payment of $750,000 received 
from J&J on the filing of the NDA for Retin-A Micro.

Total revenues for 1996 of $18,665,000 represented an increase of 
$2,557,000 or 16% over the prior year.

Gross profit on total revenues excluding milestone payment totalled 
$7,893,000, compared to $4,311,000 in the prior year, due mainly to 
increased up-front fees received from corporate partners and increased 
manufacturing efficiencies.

Research and development expense decreased by $633,000 or 15% due 
primarily to a change in estimate.  Additionally, there was a continuing 
reduction in outside services as external costs are being borne 
principally by corporate partners.  Selling and marketing expense 
increased by $649,000 or 14% to $5,405,000 due mainly to an increased 
focus on opening new markets for Microsponge systems and increased 
distribution expense attributable to higher sales volume.

Advertising and promotion expense increased by $1,245,000 or 69% due to a 
consumer products sampling program and expenditures relating to a full 
year's advertising for the Neet(R) depilatory product line which was 
licensed from Reckitt and Colman in September, 1995.

General and administrative expense decreased by $98,000 or 3% to 
$2,984,000 due mainly to reduced spending on external services.

The loss on purchase commitment relates to a contractual commitment for 
the purchase of melanin in excess of current estimated requirements.  
Melanin is the key ingredient in the manufacture of the APS-developed 
UVA/UVB sun protection cream for which an NDA was filed. This amount 
includes the final amount due under the contractual commitment.

The Company's operating loss decreased by $869,000 or 9% to $8,452,000 as 
a result of the factors discussed above.

Interest income was essentially flat between 1996 and 1995, but interest 
expense increased by $778,000 to $1,223,000 in 1996 as a result of the 
debt financing arranged in the second half of 1995.

The net loss for the year of $9,378,000 was essentially flat with the loss 
in the prior year, with the increased gross profit being offset by 
increases in selling and promotional expense, interest expense and the 
increased loss on the purchase commitment.

Capital Resources and Liquidity
- -------------------------------

Total assets as of December 31, 1997 increased to $24,180,000 compared 
with $18,444,000 at December 31, 1996.  Working capital increased to 
$4,357,000 from $3,800,000 for the same period and cash and cash 
equivalents also increased to $8,672,000 from $5,395,000.  For the year 
ended December 31, 1997, the Company's operating activities used $30,000 
of cash compared to $6,117,000 in the prior year.  This was primarily due 
to the significant reduction in operating losses compared to the prior 
year as the Company's marketing partners launched several new products 
incorporating Microsponge systems during 1997.  In addition, the Company 
no longer bore the high cost of marketing and distributing products 
directly to consumers.  The Company invested approximately $3,740,000 in 
product research and development and $3,806,000 in selling and marketing 
the Company's products and technologies.

Capital expenditures for the year ended December 31, 1997 totalled 
$2,800,000 compared to $720,000 in the prior year.  The increase was due 
primarily to plant expansion projects at the Company's manufacturing 
facility in Lafayette, Louisiana which are necessary to meet anticipated 
higher volume requirements.  This stage of the plant expansion is expected 
to be completed during 1998.

The Company has financed its operations, including product research and 
development, from amounts raised in debt and equity financings, the sale 
of Microsponge and Polytrap delivery systems and analytical standard 
products, payments received under licensing agreements, and interest 
earned on short-term investments.

In February 1997, upon receipt of marketing clearance from the FDA to 
market Retin-A Micro for the treatment of acne, APS received $3,000,000 
from Ortho McNeil Pharmaceutical of which one half was prepaid royalties 
which was recorded as deferred revenue.  The Company also received 
$2,181,000 from Lander Company in the first half of 1997 as payment for 
assets held for sale pursuant to the agreement between the two companies.

During 1997, the company received approximately $4,951,000 from the 
exercise of approximately 925,000 warrants to purchase common stock which 
had been issued in conjunction with a 1994 private placement.

The Company's existing cash and cash equivalents, collections of trade 
accounts receivable, together with interest income and other revenue 
producing activities including licensing fees and milestone payments, are 
expected to be sufficient to meet the Company's working capital 
requirements for the foreseeable future, assuming no changes to existing 
business plans.


Year 2000
- ---------

The Company is reviewing its internal computer systems to ensure that 
these systems and offerings are adequate to address the issues expected to 
arise in connection with the Year 2000.  The required systems and 
programming changes will be implemented on an enterprise-wide basis.  The 
Company is currently reviewing the costs of such actions that are required 
to address the Year 2000.  A significant proportion of the costs is not 
expected to be incremental in that they will represent redeployment of 
company resources that currently exist.

The Company expects that the required modifications to its systems will be 
made on a timely basis.  The Company also expects that, with modifications 
to existing hardware and software or converting to new software, the Year 
2000 will not pose significant operational problems for the Company's 
systems.  There can be no assurance, however, that there will not be a 
delay in or increased costs associated with the implementation of such 
changes, and the Company's inability to implement such changes could have 
an adverse effect on future results of operations.

The Company has not fully determined the extent to which the Company's 
interface systems may be impacted by third parties' systems, which may not 
be Year 2000 compliant.  While the Company has begun efforts to seek 
reassurance from its suppliers and service providers, there can be no 
assurance that the systems of other companies with which the Company deals 
or on which the Company's systems rely will be converted in a timely 
manner.


New Accounting Standards
- ------------------------

In June 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of 
Financial Accounting Standards No. 130 "Reporting Comprehensive Income" 
("SFAS 130") which is effective for financial statements for periods 
beginning after December 15, 1997, and establishes standards for reporting 
and display of comprehensive income and its components in a full set of 
general purpose financial statements.  The Company will make the required 
reporting of comprehensive income in its consolidated financial statements 
for the first quarter ending March 31, 1998.

In June 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of 
Financial Accounting Standards No. 131 "Disclosures about Segments of a 
Business Enterprise" ("SFAS 131") which is effective for financial 
statements beginning after December 15, 1997, and establishes standards 
for disclosures about segments of an enterprise.  In its consolidated 
financial statements for the year ending December 31, 1998, the Company 
will make the required disclosures.


Item 8.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

Consolidated Balance Sheets
- ---------------------------


                                                December 31,   
                                         ------------------------- 
                                            1997           1996
                                            ----           ----
                                                         
Assets
Current Assets:
 Cash and cash equivalents              $  8,672,021      5,394,509
 Accounts receivable less allowance 
  for doubtful accounts of $57,453 and 
  $47,527 at December 31, 1997 and 1996,
  respectively                             3,388,665      1,666,148
 Accrued interest receivable                  13,606          3,963
 Inventory                                 2,639,129      2,085,073
 Prepaid expenses and other                  527,545        324,065
 Assets held for sale                              -      2,181,004
                                          ----------     ----------
  Total current assets                    15,240,966     11,654,762

Property and equipment, net                6,771,173      4,681,292
Deferred loan costs, net                     353,693        616,958
Prepaid license fees, net                     82,880        165,752
Goodwill and other intangibles, net of
 accumulated amortization of $1,102,480
 and $914,221 at December 31, 1997 and 
 1996, respectively                        1,477,542      1,265,801
Other long-term assets                       254,180         59,603
                                          ----------     ----------
Total Assets                            $ 24,180,434     18,444,168
                                          ==========     ==========

Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity

Current Liabilities:
 Accounts payable                          1,529,189      1,543,143
 Accounts payable, Johnson & Johnson         107,000        814,509
 Accrued expenses                          2,832,299      1,456,512
 Accrued melanin purchase commitments      1,800,000      1,800,000
 Current portion - long-term debt          2,523,389      1,490,779
 Deferred revenue                          2,091,869        750,000
                                          ----------     ----------
    Total current liabilities             10,883,746      7,854,943

Long-term debt                             3,055,460      5,578,849
                                          ----------     ----------
Total Liabilities                         13,939,206     13,433,792

Commitments and Contingencies

Shareholders' Equity
 Preferred stock, authorized 2,500,000 
  shares; none issued or outstanding at 
  December 31, 1997 and 1996                      --             --
 Common stock, $.01 par value,
  authorized 50,000,000 shares; issued
  and outstanding 19,464,821 and
  18,359,744 at December 31, 1997 and
  1996, respectively                         194,648        183,597
Warrants, issued and outstanding: 
  506,816 at December 31, 1997 and 
  1,431,974 at December 31, 1996             983,192      2,457,692
 Additional paid-in capital               81,327,554     73,950,092
 Accumulated deficit                     (72,264,166)   (71,581,005)
                                          ----------     ----------
Total Shareholders' Equity                10,241,228      5,010,376
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' 
 Equity                                 $ 24,180,434     18,444,168
                                          ==========     ==========

<FN>                                                            
See accompanying notes.
</FN>



Consolidated Statements of Operations
- -------------------------------------


                                         For the Years Ended December 31,
                                         --------------------------------
                                          1997          1996          1995
                                          ----          ----          ----
                                                         
Revenues:
 Product and technology revenues     $16,832,659     8,197,395     6,253,831
 Consumer products                             -    10,467,512     9,104,365
 Milestone payments                    1,500,000             -       750,000
                                      ----------    ----------    ----------
   Total revenues                     18,332,659    18,664,907    16,108,196

Expenses
 Cost of sales                         7,164,120    10,771,766    11,047,399
 Research and development, net         3,740,337     3,506,161     4,139,441
 Selling and marketing                 3,806,030     5,404,774     4,755,788
 Advertising and promotion                     -     3,050,180     1,804,540
 General and administrative            3,551,977     2,984,213     3,081,900
 Loss on purchase commitment, 
  including related inventory                  -     1,400,000       600,000
                                      ----------    ----------    ----------
    Operating income (loss)               70,195    (8,452,187)   (9,320,872)
                                      ----------    ----------    ----------
Interest expense                      (1,052,715)   (1,223,303)     (445,501)
Interest income                          370,478       322,986       317,948
Other income (expense), net              (71,119)      (25,595)       89,895
                                      ----------    ----------    ----------
Net loss                             $  (683,161)   (9,378,099)   (9,358,530)
                                      ==========    ==========    ==========

Basic and diluted
  loss per common share              $     (0.04)        (0.52)        (0.57)
                                      ==========    ==========    ==========
Weighted average common shares
  outstanding                         18,778,921    17,987,153    16,459,446
                                      ==========    ==========    ==========
<FN>
See accompanying notes.
</FN>
</TABLE



Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity
- -----------------------------------------------

For the Years Ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995





                                                   Common Stock       Additional  Unrealized    Total
                              Common Stock           Warrants           Paid-In     Holding  Accumulated Shareholders'
                           Shares     Amount    Shares      Amount      Capital      Gain       Deficit       Equity
                        -----------  --------  ---------  ----------  ----------- ---------- ------------  -----------
                                                                                   
Balance December 31, 
 1994                   16,043,121   $160,431  2,286,658 $ 4,059,500  $60,297,027 $113,166   $(52,844,376) $11,785,748
                        ----------    -------  ---------   ---------   ----------  -------    -----------   ----------
Options exercised          236,992      2,370         --          --    1,078,929       --             --    1,081,299
Private placement,
 net of $112,383 in 
 offering costs            310,278      3,103    310,278     485,591      898,923       --             --    1,387,617
Securities issued in 
 debt financing
 arrangements                4,174         42    193,175     407,985       29,958       --             --      437,985
Common stock to be 
 issued in connection 
 with the agreement with 
 Johnson & Johnson         432,101      4,321         --          --       (4,321)      --             --           --
Warrants expired                --         -- (1,161,500) (2,300,000)   2,300,000       --             --           --
Change in unrealized 
 holding gain                   --         --         --          --           -- (100,818)            --     (100,818)
Net loss                        --         --         --          --           --       --     (9,358,530)  (9,358,530)
                        ----------    -------  ---------   ---------   ----------  -------    -----------   ----------
Balance December 31,
 1995                   17,026,666    170,267  1,628,611   2,653,076   64,600,516   12,348    (62,202,906)   5,233,301
                        ----------    -------  ---------   ---------   ----------  -------     ----------   ----------
Options exercised          416,219      4,162         --          --    1,993,017       --             --    1,997,179
Shares retired             (12,836)      (128)        --          --      (97,747)      --             --      (97,875)
Private placement,
 net of $62,149 in 
 offering costs            201,922      2,019     86,538     295,751    1,640,081       --             --    1,937,851
Common stock to be 
 issued in connection 
 with the agreement with
 Johnson & Johnson        (432,101)    (4,321)        --          --        4,321       --             --           --
Common stock issued in
 connection with the 
 agreement with Johnson
 & Johnson                 432,101      4,321         --          --       (4,321)      --             --           --
Common stock issued in 
 connection with the 
 agreement with Lander
 Company, net of $39,547 
 in offering costs         356,761      3,567         --          --    2,956,976       --             --    2,960,543
Common stock issued to 
 Dow Corning, net of 
 $4,000 in offering 
 costs                     200,000      2,000         --          --    1,194,000       --             --    1,196,000
Common stock issued to 
 Biosource                  94,000        940         --          --      599,060       --             --      600,000
Securities issued in
 debt financing 
 arrangements               10,675        107      4,325     (50,935)      78,353       --             --       27,525
Fair value of stock 
 options issued to 
 non-employees                  --         --         --          --      161,299       --             --      161,299
Warrants exercised          66,337        663    (87,500)   (155,200)     539,537       --             --      385,000
Warrants expired                --         --   (200,000)   (285,000)     285,000       --             --           --
Change in unrealized 
 holding gain                   --         --         --          --           --  (12,348)            --      (12,348)
Net loss                        --         --         --          --           --       --     (9,378,099)  (9,378,099)
                        ----------    -------  ---------   ---------   ----------  -------     ----------   ----------
Balance December 31,
 1996                   18,359,744   $183,597  1,431,974 $ 2,457,692  $73,950,092 $     --   $(71,581,005) $ 5,010,376
                        ----------    -------  ---------   ---------   ----------  -------     ----------   ----------
Options exercised          165,374      1,654         --          --      777,452       --             --      779,106
Fair value of stock 
 options issued to 
 non-employees                  --         --         --          --       96,757       --             --       96,757
Common stock issued to 
 employees under the
 Employee Stock
 Purchase Plan              14,545        145         --          --       87,125       --             --       87,270
Warrants exercised         925,158      9,252   (925,158) (1,474,500)   6,416,128       --             --    4,950,880
Net loss                        --         --         --          --           --       --       (683,161)    (683,161)
                        ----------    -------  ---------   ---------   ----------  -------     ----------   ----------
Balance, December 31,
 1997                   19,464,821   $194,648    506,816 $   983,192  $81,327,554 $     --   $(72,264,166) $10,241,228
                        ==========    =======  =========   =========   ==========  =======     ==========   ==========
<FN>
See accompanying notes.
</FN>



Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
- --------------------------------------



                                                      For the Years Ended December 31,
                                                  --------------------------------------
                                                      1997         1996         1995
                                                   ---------     ---------    ---------
                                                                    
Cash flows from operating activities:
 Net loss                                        $  (683,161)   (9,378,099)  (9,358,530)
  Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net
   cash used in operating activities:
    Depreciation and amortization                    980,933     1,393,805    1,377,614
    Provision for loss on purchase
      commitments, including inventory                    --     1,400,000      600,000
    Allowance for doubtful accounts                   22,967       (21,123)       2,086
    Accretion of pledged long-term marketable 
      Securities                                          --            --     (121,572)
    Loss on sale of equipment and assets held
      for sale                                            --            --      125,764
    Gain on sale of pledged marketable securities         --            --     (234,319)
    Provision for deferred compensation              216,757       161,299           --
    Amortization of deferred loan costs              263,265       215,366     (439,824)
  Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
    Accounts receivable                           (1,745,484)      791,790   (1,130,448)
    Accrued interest receivable                       (9,643)       12,510        9,570
    Inventory                                       (554,056)    5,573,511     (856,558)
    Prepaid expenses and other                      (203,480)      661,134       20,931
    Assets held for sale                                  --    (2,181,004)          --
    Other long-term assets                          (194,577)      129,425      (10,856)
    Accounts payable and accrued expenses          1,241,833    (1,460,693)      87,394
    Accounts payable, Johnson & Johnson             (707,509)   (3,415,128)     659,112
    Deferred revenue                               1,341,869            --      750,000
                                                   ---------     ---------   ----------
Net cash used in operating activities                (30,286)   (6,117,207)  (8,519,636)
                                                   ---------     ---------   ----------

Cash flows from investing activities:
 Purchase of property and equipment               (2,799,683)     (719,640)    (901,288)
 Purchases of intangible assets                     (400,000)           --           --
 Proceeds from sale of equipment and 
   assets held for sale                            2,181,004            --      797,672
 Purchases of marketable securities                       --      (512,513)  (4,458,891)
 Maturities and sales of marketable 
   securities                                             --       500,165    5,935,087
                                                   ---------     ---------   ----------
Net cash provided by (used in) 
  investing activities                            (1,018,679)     (731,988)   1,372,580
                                                   ---------     ---------   ----------

Cash flows from financing activities:
 Repayment of long-term debt                      (1,490,779)     (870,598)    (258,304)
 Proceeds from long-term debt and warrants                --       758,795    7,367,259
 Proceeds from private placements, net of 
   offering costs                                         --     1,937,851    1,387,617
 Proceeds from stock issued to Lander 
  Company, net of offering costs                          --     2,960,543           --
 Proceeds from the exercise of common 
  stock options and warrants, net of 
  common stock retired                             5,729,986     2,284,304    1,081,299
 Proceeds from issuance of shares under the
  Employee Stock Purchase Plan                        87,270            --           --
                                                   ---------     ---------   ----------
Net cash provided by financing activities          4,326,477     7,070,895    9,577,871
                                                   ---------     ---------   ----------

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents          3,277,512       221,700    2,430,815

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning 
  of the year                                      5,394,509     5,172,809    2,741,994
                                                   ---------     ---------   ----------
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of 
  the year                                      $  8,672,021     5,394,509    5,172,809
                                                   =========     =========   ==========
<FN>
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash financing transactions:

During the first quarter of 1996, the Company acquired all rights to the Polytrap technology from Dow Corning 
Corporation ("DCC") in exchange for 200,000 shares of common stock valued at $1,200,000.
During the first quarter of 1996, the Company paid Biosource for the 1995 purchase commitment totaling 
$600,000 by issuing 94,000 shares of common stock.
The Company offset a deposit of approximately $188,000 and $755,000 for 1996 and 1995, respectively, with a 
creditor against a loan from the same creditor (Note 9).
In September, 1995, the Company offset its note payable to Dow Corning Corporation against its receivable from 
DCC.  This resulted in a decrease in long-term debt, short-term debt and accounts receivable of $478,935, 
$100,000 and $578,935, respectively.
In 1995, the Company extinguished a debt through an insubstance defeasance transaction by placing U.S. 
government securities in an irrevocable trust to fund all future scheduled payments on the debt.

See accompanying notes.
</FN>



NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- ------------------------------------------
DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1996 AND 1995
- --------------------------------

Note 1   Business

Advanced Polymer Systems, Inc. ("APS" or the "Company") develops, 
manufactures and sells patented delivery systems that allow for the 
controlled release of active ingredients which have benefits in the 
ethical dermatology, cosmetic and personal care areas.  Certain projects 
are conducted under development and licensing arrangements with large 
companies, others are part of joint ventures in which APS is a major 
participant, and a number of projects are exclusive to APS.  Prior to 
1997, APS also marketed and distributed a range of consumer products for 
personal care through its subsidiary, Premier, Inc. ("Premier").  
Effective January 1, 1997, APS licensed the consumer products to a third 
party (Note 7).

Note 2   Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Principles of Consolidation:  The consolidated financial statements 
include the financial statements of the Company and its wholly owned 
subsidiaries, Premier, Advanced Consumer Products, Inc. ("ACP") and APS 
Analytical Standards.  All significant intercompany balances and 
transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities
- ------------------------------------------

For purposes of the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and 
Consolidated Balance Sheets, the Company considers all short-term 
investments that have original maturities of less than three months to 
be cash equivalents.  Short-term investments consist primarily of 
commercial paper, master notes and repurchase agreements.  All 
investments were classified as cash equivalents in the accompanying 
financial statements since there were no investments with original 
maturities longer than three months.  The Company has classified its 
investments in certain debt and equity securities as "available-for-
sale".  

Financial Instruments
- ---------------------

The Company's investments are recorded at fair value with unrealized 
holding gains and losses reported as a separate component of 
shareholders' equity.  The carrying amounts reported in the balance 
sheets for cash, receivables, accounts payable, accrued liabilites and 
short-term and long-term debt approximate fair values due to the short-
term maturities.

Inventory
- ---------

Inventory is stated at the lower of cost or market value, utilizing the 
average cost method (Note 6).

Property and Equipment
- ----------------------

Property and equipment are carried at cost.  Depreciation is computed 
using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the 
assets, not exceeding twenty years (Note 8).

Prepaid License Fees
- --------------------

The fee paid to Biosource in 1992 is being amortized over a seven-year 
period consistent with the term of the agreement (Note 3). Amortization 
of prepaid license fees totalled $82,872, $137,880 and $137,868 in 
1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively.

Deferred Loan Costs
- -------------------

Deferred charges relate to costs incurred in obtaining certain loans.  
These charges are being amortized over the life of the loans using the 
effective interest method (Note 9).

Long-Lived Assets, Including Goodwill and Other Intangibles
- -----------------------------------------------------------

In accordance with SFAS No. 121, "Accounting for the Impairment of 
Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed Of", the 
Company evaluates whether changes have occurred that would require 
revision of the remaining estimated lives of recorded long-lived 
assets, including goodwill, or render those assets not recoverable.   
If such circumstances arise, recoverability is determined by comparing 
the undiscounted net cash flows of long-lived assets to their 
respective carrying values.  The amount of impairment, if any, is 
measured based on the projected discounted cash flows using an 
appropriate discount rate.  At this time, the Company believes that no 
significant impairment of long-lived assets, including goodwill and 
other intangibles, has occurred and that no reduction of the estimated 
useful lives of such assets is warranted.

In 1997, APS acquired all the rights to Exact(R) acne medication from 
Johnson & Johnson Consumer Products, Inc. for $350,000.  Effective 
January 1, 1997, APS licensed Exact and other consumer products to 
Lander Company (Note 7).  The rights are being amortized on a straight-
line basis over the length of the licensing agreement with Lander.

In the first quarter of 1996, APS acquired all patents and rights to 
the Polytrap technology from Dow Corning Corporation in exchange for 
200,000 shares of its common stock. APS recorded intangible assets 
totalling $1,200,000 relating to this transaction.  The intangible 
assets are being amortized on a straight-line basis over a period of 
approximately 10 years, which is the remaining life of the main patent 
acquired.

In 1992, APS acquired for 157,894 shares of its common stock, the 
outstanding 25% interest in ACP, APS' over-the-counter 
consumer products subsidiary.  The acquisition was accounted for as a 
purchase.  Excess of cost over net assets acquired arising from the 
purchase was amortized over five years on a straight-line basis.  

Amortization of intangible assets totalled $188,259, $279,756 and 
$188,875, in 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively.

Stock-Based Compensation
- ------------------------

The Company has chosen to account for stock-based compensation using 
the intrinsic value method prescribed in Accounting Principles Board 
Opinion No. 25, Accounting for "Stock Issued to Employees" and related 
interpretations.  Accordingly, except for stock options issued to non-
employees, no compensation cost has been recognized for the Company's 
fixed stock option plans and stock purchase plan (Note 11).

Use of Estimates
- ----------------

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally 
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates 
and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated 
financial statements and related notes to financial statements.  
Changes in such estimates may affect amounts in future periods.

Revenue Recognition
- -------------------

Product revenues are recorded upon shipment of products.

The Company has several licensing agreements that generally provide for 
the Company to receive periodic minimum payments, royalties,and/or non-
refundable license fees.  These amounts are classified as Product and 
Technology Revenues in the accompanying consolidated statements of 
operations and are recognized when earned.  
Advertising and Promotion Costs
- -------------------------------

Advertising and promotion costs are expensed as incurred.

Earnings (Loss) Per Share
- -------------------------

The Company adopted SFAS No. 128 "Earnings per Share" (SFAS 128) in the 
quarter ended December 31,1997.  All prior period earnings per share 
data were restated by the Company upon adoption of SFAS 128.

Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share were computed based 
on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each 
year.  The computation assumes that no outstanding stock options and 
warrants were exercised as they would be anti-dilutive.

Deferred Revenue
- ----------------

Prepaid royalties paid to APS by Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical 
Corporation ("Ortho"), a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson Inc. ("J&J"), 
as part of the retinoid licensing agreement are reported as deferred 
revenues (Note 14).

In accordance with the licensing agreement, a portion of the royalties 
earned by APS is applied against the deferred revenues after certain 
annual minimum royalty payments are met.

Concentrations of Credit Risk
- -----------------------------

Financial instruments which potentially expose the Company to 
concentrations of credit risk, as defined by Statement of Financial 
Accounting Standards No. 105, consist primarily of trade accounts 
receivable.  Approximately 51% and 53% of the recorded trade 
receivables were concentrated with five and two customers in the 
cosmetic and personal care industries as of December 31, 1997 and 1996, 
respectively.  To reduce credit risk, the Company performs ongoing 
credit evaluations of its customers' financial conditions.  The Company 
does not generally require collateral.

Reclassifications
- -----------------

Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior year financial 
statements to conform with the presentation in 1997.

Note 3   Related Party Transactions

APS has entered into agreements with Biosource.  One director serves on 
the Board of Directors of both Biosource and APS.  All agreements between 
APS and Biosource have been, and will continue to be, considered and 
approved by a vote of the disinterested directors.  The agreements provide 
APS worldwide rights to use and sell Biosource's biologically-synthesized 
melanin in Microsponge systems for all sun protection, cosmetic, ethical 
dermatology and over-the-counter skin care purposes.  In return, APS was 
required to make annual minimum purchases of melanin, pay royalties on 
sales of APS melanin-Microsponge products and was required to prepay 
$500,000 of royalties.   For estimated losses on purchase commitments and 
related inventory, the Company accrued $0, $1,400,000 and $600,000 in 
1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively.  All minimum financial commitments 
under the current agreements have been expensed by APS.

In 1996, APS paid Biosource the 1995 minimum purchase commitment by 
issuing Biosource 94,000 shares of APS common stock.

In November, 1997 Biosource filed a complaint against the Company in the 
San Mateo Superior Court (Note 4).

Note 4   Legal Proceeding

In November, 1997 Biosource filed a complaint against the Company in the 
San Mateo Superior Court.  Biosource claims damages from the Company of an 
amount not less than $1,050,000, on the grounds that the Company has 
failed to pay certain minimum amounts allegedly due under a contract for 
the supply of melanin.  Biosource also claims interest on that sum and 
costs.

The Company has denied liability, basing its defense on the assertion that 
obligations under the contract have been suspended, because the expected 
FDA approval of the Company's melanin based product has not yet been 
forthcoming.  The Company is vigorously defending the action, and has 
cross claimed for rescission of the contract and restitution of money paid 
thereunder, and for a declaratory judgment that it is not indebted to 
Biosource.

The Company expects that the outcome of this legal proceeding will not 
have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial statements 
considering amounts accrued at December 31, 1997.

Note 5   Cash Equivalents 

All investments in debt securities have been classified as cash 
equivalents in the accompanying balance sheets as they mature in less than 
three months.

At December 31, 1997 and 1996, the amortized cost and estimated market 
value of investments in debt securities are set forth in the tables below:

                                 December 31, 1997
                          --------------------------------
                                                Estimated
                            Cost               Fair Value
                          --------------------------------
Available-for-Sale:
Corporate debt securities $6,726,919           6,726,919
Other debt securities        869,634             869,634
                           ---------           ---------
Totals                    $7,596,553           7,596,553
                           =========           =========


                                 December 31, 1996
                          --------------------------------
                                                Estimated
                            Cost               Fair Value
                          --------------------------------
Available-for-Sale:
Corporate debt securities $3,556,052           3,556,052
Other debt securities        214,790             214,790
                           ---------           ---------
Totals                    $3,770,842           3,770,842
                           =========           =========

Note 6  Inventory

The major components of inventory are as follows:

                                           December 31,  
                                    ---------------------------
                                      1997            1996
                                      ----            ----
Raw materials and work-in-process $  834,496         604,852
Finished goods                     1,804,633       1,480,221
                                   ---------       ---------
Total inventory                   $2,639,129       2,085,073
                                   =========       =========

Consumer products inventory was classified as Assets Held for Sale in the 
accompanying December 31, 1996 balance sheet (Note 7).

Note 7   Assets Held for Sale

In January 1997, APS entered into an agreement with Lander Company under 
which Lander commercialized the APS consumer products as part of the 
Company's long-term strategic plan to move away from the direct marketing 
of consumer products.  Under the terms of the agreement, certain consumer 
products inventory, manufacturing equipment and prepaid advertising 
credits were sold to Lander in January 1997 at the December 31, 1996 book 
value.  In addition, APS receives revenue from royalties on consumer 
product sales and the supply of Microsponge systems to Lander.  Also, the 
Company discontinued the marketing of the suncare products licensed from 
J&J; the related inventory amounted to approximately $198,000 at December 
31, 1996.  For financial reporting purposes, these consumer product assets 
are classified as Assets Held for Sale in the accompanying December 31, 
1996 balance sheet and consist of the following:

   Inventory                     $1,703,764
   Prepaid Asset                    388,021
   Property Plant and Equipment      89,219
                                  ---------
                                 $2,181,004
                                  =========

Note 8   Property and Equipment

Property and equipment consist of the following:

                                         December 31,
                                 ---------------------------
                                     1997           1996  
                                  ----------     ----------
Building                         $ 1,823,625      1,611,039
Land and improvements                163,519        163,519
Leasehold improvements             1,233,074        571,223
Furniture and equipment           13,001,437     11,119,307
                                  ----------     ----------
Total property and equipment      16,221,655     13,465,088
Accumulated depreciation 
 and amortization                 (9,450,482)    (8,783,796)
                                  ----------     ----------
Property and equipment, net      $ 6,771,173      4,681,292
                                  ==========     ==========

Depreciation expense amounted to $709,802, $976,163 and $980,779 for the 
years ended December 31, 1997, 1996, and 1995, respectively.

Certain consumer products manufacturing equipment is classified as Assets 
Held for Sale in the accompanying December 31, 1996 balance sheet (Note 
7).

Note 9   Long-Term Debt

Long-term debt consists of the following:



                                                     December 31
                                                --------------------
                                                  1997        1996
                                                  ----        ----
                                                     
Bank loan, interest payable monthly, principal
 due in non-equal installments commencing 
 December 1, 1996 through March 1, 1999, 
 secured by the assets and operating cash 
 flow of a subsidiary of the Company and 
 guaranteed by the Company                     $2,550,000  2,950,000

Term loan, subordinated to bank loan, interest
 payable quarterly, principal due in non-equal
 installments commencing December 1, 1996 
 through March 1, 1999, secured by the assets 
 and operating cash flows of a subsidiary of 
 the Company and guaranteed by the Company      1,402,500  1,622,500

Term loan, principal and interest due in equal
 monthly installments commencing October 1996 
 through December 1999, secured by certain 
 real and personal property                     1,626,349  2,497,128
                                                ---------  ---------
Total                                           5,578,849  7,069,628
Less current portion                            2,523,389  1,490,779
                                                ---------  ---------
Long-term debt                                 $3,055,460  5,578,849
                                                =========  =========



Maturities of the long-term debt are as follows:

     Years ending December 31      Amount
     ------------------------    ---------- 
              1998               $2,523,389
              1999                3,055,460
                                  ---------
                                 $5,578,849
                                  =========

In 1995, the Company received an aggregate amount of $8,122,334 from three 
financing arrangements.

The first financing arrangement was a $3,000,000 bank loan with an 
interest rate equal to two percentage points above the Prime Rate (8.5% as 
of December 31, 1997).  The loan is secured by the assets and operating 
cash flows of a subsidiary of the Company and guaranteed by the Company.

The second financing arrangement was originally a $1,500,000 term loan 
with a syndicate of lenders and a fixed interest rate of 14%.  In January 
1996, an incremental $150,000 was received under this financing 
arrangement.  The loan is also secured by the assets and operating cash 
flows of a subsidiary of the Company and guaranteed by the Company.  The 
security interest of the debt holders is subordinated to the bank loan's 
security interest.

In the third quarter of 1995, the Company consummated a transaction 
whereby certain assets were sold to a third party and subsequently leased 
back for a fixed rental stream over a period of forty-eight months.  The 
Company has the option either to purchase all the properties at the 
expiration of the term of the lease or extend the term of the lease.  The 
Company reported this transaction as a financing transaction since the 
requirements for consummation of a sale were not met.  A deposit of 
$188,000 with the lender was offset against the loan balance as of 
December 31, 1997 and 1996.  In 1996, the Company received a refund of 
$567,000 of the deposit upon satisfaction of certain conditions identified 
in the financing agreement.  This transaction has been reflected in the 
table above as a term loan.

The terms of certain financing agreements contain, among other provisions, 
requirements for a subsidiary of the Company to maintain defined levels of 
earnings, net worth and various financial ratios, including debt to net 
worth.  In conjunction with the debt financing agreements, APS issued a 
total of 197,500 warrants with an original exercise price of $7.00 per 
share of common stock.  In accordance with the original terms of the 
warrant agreements, the exercise price on 110,000 of the warrants 
outstanding at December 31, 1997 was reduced to $3.00 per share on 
December 31, 1997 as a result of the Company reporting a net loss for the 
1997 fiscal year.

All costs incurred in obtaining the financing arrangements have been 
capitalized as deferred charges, and are being amortized over the life of 
the loans using the effective interest method.  Interest paid in 1997, 
1996 and 1995 approximated interest expense reflected in the Consolidated 
Statements of Operations.

In September 1995, the Company extinguished $2,500,000 of Industrial 
Revenue Bonds through an "insubstance defeasance" transaction by placing 
approximately $2,500,000 of U.S. government securities in an irrevocable 
trust to fund all future interest and principal payments.  The defeased 
debt balance outstanding as of December 31, 1997 was $2,500,000.  The 
purchase of the government securities to offset this debt was achieved 
through the sale of the Company's pledged marketable security.  The debt 
extinguishment did not have a material impact on the Company's earnings.

Note 10   Commitments

Lease Commitments:  Total rental expense for property and equipment was 
$770,187, $655,283 and $639,807 for 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively.

The Company's future minimum lease payments under noncancellable operating 
leases for facilities as of December 31, 1997, are as follows:

              Years Ending                     Minimum
              December 31,                     Payments
              ------------                    -----------
                  1998                         $  739,871
                  1999                            723,027
                  2000                            717,181
                  2001                            725,233
                  2002                            735,095
                  Thereafter                    1,248,609
                                               ----------
                                               $4,889,016
                                               ==========

Note 11   Shareholders' Equity

Private Placements and Common Stock Warrants:  In January 1996, in 
accordance with a 1994 private placement agreement, APS issued J&J 432,101 
shares of common stock as a result of the APS stock price not achieving 
certain predetermined levels.  The 200,000 warrants issued to J&J in 
conjunction with this private placement expired in 1996 (Note 14).

During 1997, 925,158 warrants issued in connection with a 1994 private 
placement were exercised.  As of December 31, 1997, 310,278 warrants from 
the 1994 private placement are outstanding with an exercise price of $5.32 
per warrant.  The outstanding warrants expire on March 30, 1998.

In conjunction with certain debt financing agreements made in 1995 (Note 
9), APS issued a total of 197,500 warrants with an original exercise price 
of $7.00 per share of common stock.  In accordance with the warrant 
agreements, the exercise price was reduced to $3.00 on December 31, 1997 
as a result of the Company reporting a net loss for the 1997 fiscal year.  
These warrants will expire on March 27, 2000.

In the first quarter of 1995, 1,161,500 warrants issued in a 1992 private 
placement expired.

In the first quarter of 1996, the Company formed a collaborative agreement 
with the Lander Company under which the Company received $2,961,000 in net 
proceeds from the sale of 356,761 shares of common stock.  In addition, 
the Company will receive licensing fees, research and development funding 
and royalties on product sales in the future.

In 1996, APS acquired all patents and rights to the Polytrap technology 
from Dow Corning in exchange for 200,000 shares of APS common stock (Note 
2).

During the second quarter of 1996, APS received $1,937,851 net of offering 
costs, through a private placement and sale of 201,922 shares of common 
stock and 86,538 warrants exercisable over a three-year period.  The 
warrants are exercisable at the following prices:

     Number of Shares      Exercise Price
     ----------------      --------------
        28,846                $ 7.43
        28,846                  9.90
        28,846                 12.38

Shareholders Rights Plan:  On August 19, 1996, the Board of Directors 
approved a Shareholders Rights Plan under which shareholders of record on 
September 3, 1996 received a dividend of one Preferred Stock purchase 
right ("Rights") for each share of common stock outstanding.  The Rights 
were not exercisable until 10 business days after a person or group 
acquired 20% or more of the outstanding shares of common stock or 
announced a tender offer which could have resulted in a person or group 
beneficially owning 20% or more of the outstanding shares of common stock 
(an "Acquisition") of the Company.  The Board of Directors approved an 
increase in threshold to 30% in December 1997.  Each Right, should it 
become exercisable, will entitle the holder (other than acquirer) to 
purchase company stock at a discount.  The Board of Directors may 
terminate the Rights plan or, under certain circumstances, redeem the 
rights.

In the event of an Acquisition without the approval of the Board, each 
Right will entitle the registered holder, other than an acquirer and 
certain related parties, to buy at the Right's then current exercise price 
a number of shares of common stock with a market value equal to twice the 
exercise price.

In addition, if at the time when there was a 30% shareholder, the Company 
were to be acquired by merger, shareholders with unexercised Rights could 
purchase common stock of the acquirer with a value of twice the exercise 
price of the Rights.

The Board may redeem the Rights for $0.01 per Right at any time prior to 
Acquisition.  Unless earlier redeemed, the Rights will expire on August 
19, 2006.

Stock-Based Compensation Plans:  The Company has two types of stock-based 
compensation plans, a stock purchase plan and a stock option plan.

In 1997, the stockholders approved the Company's 1997 Employee Stock 
Purchase Plan (the "Plan").  Under the 1997 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, 
the Company is authorized to issue up to 400,000 shares of common stock to 
its employees, nearly all of whom are eligible to participate.  Under the 
terms of the Plan, employees can elect to have up to a maximum of 10 
percent of their base earnings withheld to purchase the Company's common 
stock.  The purchase price of the stock is 85 percent of the lower of the 
closing prices for the Company's common stock on:  (i) the first trading 
day in the enrollment period, as defined in the Plan, in which the 
purchase is made, or (ii) the purchase date.  The length of the enrollment 
period may not exceed a maximum of 24 months.  Enrollment dates are the 
first business day of May and November provided that the first enrollment 
date was April 30, 1997.  Approximately 58 percent of eligible employees 
participated in the Plan in 1997.  Under the Plan, the Company issued 
14,545 shares in 1997 and no shares in 1996 and 1995.  The weighted 
average fair value of purchase rights granted during the year was $2.77.  
The weighted average exercise price of the purchase rights exercised 
during the year was $6.00.  As of December 31, 1997, the Company had 
385,455 shares reserved for issuance under the stock purchase plan.

The Company has various stock option plans for employees, officers, 
directors and consultants.   The options are granted at fair market value 
and expire no later than ten years from the date of grant.  The options 
are exercisable in accordance with vesting schedules that generally 
provide for them to be fully exercisable four years after the date of 
grant.

The following table summarizes option activity for 1997, 1996 and 1995:



     1997                 1996                 1995       
                               -----------------   ------------------   --------------------
                                        Weighted             Weighted              Weighted
                                         Average              Average               Average
                                        Exercise             Exercise              Exercise
                                 Shares   Price     Shares     Price      Shares     Price
                               -----------------   ------------------   --------------------
                                                                  
Outstanding at beginning 
 of year                       2,901,440   $6.46   2,972,324   $5.98    2,677,162   $6.14
Granted                          313,500    7.50     502,500    7.89      636,500    5.31
Exercised                       (165,374)   4.71    (416,219)   4.80     (236,992)   4.59
Expired or Cancelled            (101,811)   8.36    (157,165)   6.25     (104,346)   9.14
                               ---------           ---------            ---------
Outstanding at end of year     2,947,755    6.63   2,901,440    6.46    2,972,324    5.98
                               =========           =========            =========
Options exercisable at  
   year-end                    2,259,683           1,945,056           1,877,295
Shares available for future
 grant at year end               358,295             569,984             167,819
Weighted-average fair 
 value of options granted 
 during the year                           $4.25               $5.12                $3.44




The following table summarizes information about fixed stock options 
outstanding at December 31, 1997:




                            OPTIONS OUTSTANDING     OPTIONS EXERCISABLE
                           ----------------------  ----------------------
                           Weighted     Weighted                Weighted
                            Average      Average                 Average
Range of        Number     Remaining   Remaining    Number      Remaining
Exercise      Outstanding  Contractual  Exercise  Exercisable    Exercise
Prices         12/31/97      Life        Price    at 12/31/97     Price
- -----------   -----------  ----------- ---------  -----------   ---------
                                                 
$3.44-$5.25      788,251     5.8 years  $  4.67      618,005    $  4.54
$5.38-$6.25      852,139     6.4           5.61      726,765       5.55
$6.38-$8.13      795,365     7.7           7.41      402,913       7.18
$9.25-$15.00     512,000     5.0          10.14      512,000      10.14
               ---------                           --------- 
$3.44-$15.00   2,947,755     6.4           6.63    2,259,683       6.60
               =========                           =========



The Company has adopted the disclosure only provisions of Statement of 
Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, ("SFAS No. 123") "Accounting for 
Stock-Based Compensation."  Accordingly, except for stock options issued 
to non-employees, no compensation cost has been recognized for the various 
fixed stock option plans and stock purchase plan.  The compensation cost 
that has been charged against income for the stock options issued to non-
employees was $96,800, $161,300 and $0 for 1997, 1996 and 1995, 
respectively.  Had compensation cost for the Company's stock-based 
compensation plans been determined consistent with the fair value method 
provisions of SFAS No. 123, the Company's net loss and loss per common 
share would have increased to the pro-forma amounts indicated below:

                                 1997            1996           1995
                             -----------    -----------    ---------
Net loss - as reported       $  (683,161)   (9,378,099)   (9,358,530)
Net loss - pro-forma          (2,010,319)  (10,462,871)   (9,815,235)
Loss per common share 
  (basic and diluted) 
  - as reported                    (0.04)        (0.52)        (0.57)
Loss per common share 
  (basic and diluted) 
  - pro-forma                      (0.11)        (0.58)        (0.60)

For stock options, the fair value of each option grant is estimated on the 
date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the 
following weighted-average assumptions used for grants in 1997, 1996 and 
1995, respectively:  dividend yield of 0 for all years; expected 
volatility of 60 percent, 85 percent and 85 percent; risk-free interest 
rates of 5.7 percent, 6.1 percent and 6.1 percent; and expected life of 
five years, four years and four years for all the stock option plans.

For the stock purchase plan, the fair value of each award is also 
estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model.  The multiple 
option approach was used, with the following assumptions for expected 
terms of six, twelve, eighteen and twenty-four months, respectively:  
risk-free interest rates of 5.7 percent, 5.8 percent, 6.0 percent and 6.0 
percent; volatility of 40 percent for all terms; and dividend yield of 
zero for all terms.  There were no grants under the stock purchase plan in 
1996 and 1995.

The amounts disclosed above under the fair value method of SFAS No. 123 
include compensation costs and fair values for options and purchase rights 
granted since January 1, 1995 and may not be representative of the effects 
in future years.

Note 12   Defined Contribution Plan

The Company sponsors a defined contribution plan covering substantially 
all of its employees.  In the past three calendar years, the Company made 
matching contributions equal to 50% of each participant's contribution 
during the plan year up to a maximum amount equal to the lesser of 3% of 
each participant's annual compensation or $4,750, $4,750 and $4,500 for 
the 1997, 1996 and 1995 calendar years, respectively.  The Company may 
also contribute additional discretionary amounts as it may determine.  For 
the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, the Company contributed 
to the plan approximately $110,000, $110,000 and $89,000, respectively.  
No discretionary contributions have been made to the plan since its 
inception.

Note 13   Income Taxes

A reconciliation of the federal statutory rate of 34% to the Company's 
effective tax rate is as follows:

                                                 December 31
                                           ------------------------
                                           1997      1996     1995
                                           ----      ----     ----
U.S. Federal statutory rate (benefit)    (34.00)%  (34.00)%  (34.00)%
Net losses without tax benefits           31.40     33.75     33.50
State income taxes, net of U.S.
 Federal income tax effect                   --        --        --
Nondeductible expenses                     2.60      0.25       0.5
                                          -----     -----     -----
Total tax expense (benefit)                  --        --        --

At December 31, 1997, the Company had net federal operating loss 
carryforwards of approximately $73,576,000 for income tax reporting 
purposes and California operating loss carryforwards of approximately 
$7,512,000.  The federal net operating loss carryforwards expire beginning 
in 1998 through the year 2012.  The California net operating loss 
carryforwards expire beginning in 1998 through the year 2002.  A 
California net operating loss carryforward from 1990 in the approximate 
amount of $1,200,000 expired December 31, 1997.

The Company also has investment tax credits and research and experimental 
tax credits aggregating approximately $1,688,000 and $744,000 for federal 
and California purposes, respectively.  The federal credit carryforwards 
expire beginning in 1998 through the year 2012.  The California credits 
carryover indefinitely until utilized.

There are also California credit carryforwards for qualified manufacturing 
and research and development equipment of approximately $13,000; these 
credits expire beginning in 2005 through the year 2007.

The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant 
portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities at 
December 31, 1997 and 1996 are presented below:



                                        1997         1996  
                                    ------------  -----------
                                                    
Deferred tax assets:
 Deferred research expenditures   $  1,367,000      1,445,000
 Accruals and reserves not 
  currently deductible for tax 
  purposes                           1,934,000      1,771,000
 Net operating loss carryforwards   25,680,000     25,407,000
 Credit carryforwards                2,445,000      2,377,000
 Other                                 246,000        406,000
                                    ----------     ----------
Gross deferred tax assets           31,672,000     31,406,000
 Less valuation allowance          (31,522,000)   (31,182,000)
                                    ----------     ----------
Total deferred tax assets              150,000        224,000
                                    ----------     ----------
Deferred tax liabilities:
 Property and equipment               (150,000)      (224,000)
                                    ----------     ----------
Total deferred tax liabilities        (150,000)      (224,000)
                                    ----------     ----------
 Net deferred taxes               $         --             --
                                    ==========     ==========


The net change in the valuation allowance for the years ended December 31, 
1997, 1996 and 1995 was an increase of approximately $340,000, $3,756,000 
and $4,534,000, respectively.  Management believes that sufficient 
uncertainty exists regarding the realizability of these items and, 
accordingly, a valuation allowance is required.

Gross deferred tax assets as of December 31, 1997 include approximately 
$2,800,000 relating to the exercise of stock options, for which any 
related tax benefits will be credited to equity when realized.

Note 14   Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical Corporation

In May 1992, APS entered into development, and licensing and investment 
agreements with Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical Corporation ("Ortho") for the 
development of retinoid products.  The first product is a Microsponge 
system entrapment of tretinoin (trans-retinoic acid or "t-RA"), a 
prescription acne drug for which FDA approval was received in February 
1997.  A second product licensed to Ortho is a Microsponge entrapment of a 
retinoid to be used for the treatment of photodamaged skin.  

The terms of the agreements included an $8,000,000 investment in APS for 
723,006 newly issued shares of APS common stock and the payment to APS of 
$6,000,000 in licensing fees by J&J.

J&J made a second equity investment in the Company in May 1994.  Under 
this agreement, J&J purchased 1,000,000 shares of newly issued common 
stock in consideration for $5,000,000.  In January 1996, APS issued J&J 
432,101 shares of common stock as a result of the APS stock price not 
achieving certain predetermined levels.  The 200,000 warrants issued in 
1994 to J&J in conjunction with this equity investment expired in 1996.  
As of December 31, 1997, J&J owned approximately 11% of the APS common 
shares outstanding.  In March 1998, J&J announced that it had divested its 
initial investment of 723,006 shares of the Company's stock as part of a 
rebalancing of its investment portfolio.

In February 1995, APS received $750,000 in prepaid royalties and an 
additional $750,000 as a milestone payment on the submission to the FDA of 
its New Drug Application for the tretinoin prescription acne treatment.  
The milestone payment was recognized as revenue upon receipt.  The prepaid 
royalties of $750,000 were recorded as deferred revenues.  In February 
1997, upon receipt of approval from the FDA to market Retin-A(R) Micro 
(tretinoin gel) microsphere for the treatment of acne, APS received 
$3,000,000 from Ortho of which one half is a milestone payment which was 
recognized as revenue in 1997 and half is prepaid royalties which was 
recorded as deferred revenues.  APS earns a mark-up on Microsponge systems 
supplied to Ortho and Ortho pays APS a royalty on product sales, subject 
to certain minimums.  Should these minimums not be achieved, Ortho would 
lose its exclusivity and APS would regain marketing rights to the retinoid 
products.  APS has the ability to earn an additional $4,750,000 in fees if 
certain research milestones are achieved.

Note 15   Johnson & Johnson

Licensing Agreement:  The Company's wholly owned subsidiary, Premier, 
licensed from J&J the exclusive right to manufacture and distribute a 
product, Take-Off, in the U.S.  The agreement provided for Premier to 
remit royalty payments to J&J based on net sales, with minimum payments of 
$375,000 per year.  In December 1996, the Company purchased the rights to 
Take-Off from J&J for a 3% royalty on net sales for the five year period 
ending December 31, 2001.  In January 1997, as part of its long-term 
strategic plan to move away from the marketing of consumer products, the 
Company sub-licensed the right to manufacture and distribute Take-Off to 
Lander Company.

Distribution Arrangement:  In 1992, Premier obtained the rights to market 
and distribute two suncare products, Sundown and Johnson's Baby Sunblock, 
in the U.S.  Premier & J&J shared the profits or losses on sales of 
suncare products.

As part of the Company's long-term strategic plan to move away from the 
direct marketing of consumer products, this distribution arrangement with 
J&J was terminated in 1997.  The remaining inventory on hand as of 
December 31, 1996 was sold in 1997.


Independent Auditors' Report


The Board of Directors and Shareholders 
Advanced Polymer Systems, Inc.:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Advanced 
Polymer Systems, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1997 and 1996, 
and the related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders' 
equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period 
ended December 31, 1997.  In connection with our audits of the 
consolidated financial statements, we also have audited the consolidated 
financial statement schedule as listed in Item 14(a)2.  These consolidated 
financial statements and the consolidated financial statement schedule are 
the responsibility of the Company's management.  Our responsibility is to 
express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements and the 
financial statement schedule based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing 
standards.  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to 
obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are 
free of material misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test 
basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial 
statements.  An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles 
used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating 
the overall financial statement presentation.  We believe that our audits 
provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above 
present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of 
Advanced Polymer Systems, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1997 
and 1996, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for 
each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 1997, in 
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.  Also in our 
opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered in 
relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, 
presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth 
therein.




                                         /s/KPMG Peat Marwick LLP

San Francisco, California
March 6, 1998


Item 9.  Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting
         and Financial Disclosure

   Not applicable.


Part III

Item 10.  Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant

APS incorporates by reference the information set forth under the captions 
"Nomination and Election of Directors" and "Executive Compensation" of the 
Company's Proxy Statement (the "Proxy Statement") for the annual meeting 
of shareholders to be held on June 4, 1997.

Item 11.  Executive Compensation

APS incorporates by reference the information set forth under the caption 
"Executive Compensation" of the Proxy Statement.

Item 12.  Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and 
          Management

The Company incorporates by reference the information set forth under the 
caption "Beneficial Stock Ownership" of the Proxy Statement.

Item 13.  Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

The Company incorporates by reference the information set forth under the 
caption "Certain Transactions" of the Proxy Statement.


Part IV

Item 14.  Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and Reports on Form 
          8-K

(a) 1.  Financial Statements
The financial statements and supplementary data set forth in Part 
II of the 10-K Annual Report are incorporated herein by 
reference.
    2.  Financial Statement Schedules
Schedule II  Valuation Accounts
All other schedules have been omitted because the information is 
not required or is not so material as to require submission of 
the schedule, or because the information is included in the 
financial statements or the notes thereto.
    3.  Exhibits
3-A-Copy of Registrant's Certificate of Incorporation. (1)
3-B-Copy of Registrant's Bylaws. (1)
10-C-Registrant's 1992 Stock Plan dated August 11, 1992. (2)*
10-D-Registrant's 1997 Employee Stock Purchase Plan dated March 
5, 1997 (9)*
10-E-Lease Agreement between Registrant and Metropolitan Life 
Insurance Company for lease of Registrant's executive offices 
in Redwood City dated as of November 17, 1997.
10-N-Agreement with Johnson & Johnson dated April 14, 1992. (3)
10-P-Warrant to Purchase Common Stock. (5)
10-S-Lease Agreement between Registrant and Financing for Science 
International dated September 1, 1995 (6)
10-T-Security and Loan Agreement between Registrant and Venture 
Lending dated September 27, 1995 (6)
10-U-Asset Purchase Agreement with Dow Corning Corporation dated 
January 23, 1996 (7)
10-V-Investment Agreement between Registrant and the Lander 
Company. (8)
10-W-License, Assignment and Supply Agreement between Registrant 
and Lander Company.
21-Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders. (4)
23-Consent of Independent Auditors.
27-Financial Data Schedule

(b) Reports on Form 8-K
     None.

(c) Exhibits
The Company hereby files as part of this Form 10-K the exhibits listed 
in Item 14(a)3. As set forth above.

(d) Financial Statement Schedules
See Item 14(a)2. of this Form 10-K.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1)Filed as an Exhibit with corresponding Exhibit No. to Registrant's 
Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 33-15429) and 
incorporated herein by reference.
(2)Filed as Exhibit No. 28.1 to Registrant's Registration Statement on 
Form S-8 (Registration No. 33- 50640), and incorporated herein by 
reference.
(3)Filed as an Exhibit with corresponding Exhibit No. to Registrant's 
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1992, and 
incorporated herein by reference.
(4)To be filed supplementally.
(5)Filed as an Exhibit with corresponding Exhibits 4.1, 4.2, 4.3 and 
4.4 to Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration 
No.33-82562) and incorporated herein by reference.
(6)Filed as an Exhibit with corresponding Exhibit No. to Registrant's 
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended 
September 30, 1995.
(7)Filed as an Exhibit with corresponding Exhibit No. to Registrant's 
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1995, and 
incorporated herein by reference.
(8)Filed as an Exhibit with corresponding Exhibit No. to Registrant's 
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 
31, 1996, and incorporated herein by referenced.
(9)Filed an Exhibit No. 99.1 to Registrant's Registration Statement on 
Form s-8 (Registration No. 333-35151), and incorporated herein by 
reference.

*  Management Contract or Compensatory plans.


For purposes of complying with the amendments to the rules governing 
Registration Statements on Form S-8 (effective July 13, 1990) under the 
Securities Act of 1933 ("the Act"), as amended, the undersigned registrant 
hereby undertakes as follows, which undertaking shall be incorporated by 
reference into Part II of the registrant's Registration Statements on Form 
S-8 Nos. 33-18942, 33-21829, 33-29084 and 33-50640 filed on December 8, 
1987, May 13, 1988, June 6, 1989 and August 11, 1992, respectively.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities 
Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling 
persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or 
otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the 
Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public 
policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable.  In the 
event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other 
than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a 
director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the 
successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such 
director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities 
being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its 
counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a 
court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such 
indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and 
will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.


                                     SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirement of Section 13 or 15 (d) 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.

ADVANCED POLYMER SYSTEMS, INC.


By:  /s/John J. Meakem, Jr.
   ----------------------------------------------
     John J. Meakem, Jr.
     Chairman, President, Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this 
report has been signed by the following person in the capacities and on the 
dates indicated.




Signature                   Title                             Date
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                        
/S/ John J. Meakem, Jr.     Chairman, President,
- -------------------------   Chief Executive Officer           March 27, 1998
John J. Meakem, Jr.                                           --------------


/S/ Michael O'Connell       Executive Vice President, 
- -------------------------   Chief Administrative Officer and
Michael O'Connell           Chief Financial Officer           March 27, 1998
                                                              --------------


/S/ Carl Ehmann             Director                          March 27, 1998
- -------------------------                                     --------------
Carl Ehmann


/S/ Jorge Heller            Director                          March 27, 1998
- -------------------------                                     --------------
Jorge Heller


/S/ Peter Riepenhausen      Director                          March 27, 1998
- -------------------------                                     --------------
Peter Riepenhausen


/S/ Toby Rosenblatt         Director                          March 27, 1998
- -------------------------                                     --------------
Toby Rosenblatt


/S/ Gregory H. Turnbull     Director                          March 27, 1998
- -------------------------                                     --------------
Gregory H. Turnbull


/S/ C. Anthony Wainwright   Director                          March 27, 1998
- -------------------------                                     --------------
C. Anthony Wainwright


/S/ Dennis Winger           Director                          March 27, 1998
- -------------------------                                     --------------
Dennis Winger





Schedule II

Valuation Accounts


                                             Additions
                                  Beginning  Charged to             Ending
                             Balance    Expense   Deductions  Balance
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                        
December 31, 1995
Accounts receivable, allowance
  for doubtful accounts             $66,564    29,464     27,378    68,650

December 31, 1996
Accounts receivable, allowance
  for doubtful accounts              68,650     9,331     30,454    47,527

December 31, 1997
Accounts receivable, allowance
  for doubtful accounts              47,527    22,967     13,041    57,453




CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS


The Board of Directors and Shareholders
Advanced Polymer Systems, Inc.:


We consent to incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements 
(Nos. 33-18942, 33-21829, 33-29084, 33-50640 and 333-35151) on Forms S-8 
of Advanced Polymer Systems, Inc. and in the Registration Statements (Nos. 
33-47399, 33-51326, 33-82562, 33-88972 and 333-759) on Forms S-3 of 
Advanced Polymer Systems, Inc. of our report dated March 6, 1998, relating 
to the consolidated balance sheets of Advanced Polymer Systems, Inc. and 
subsidiaries as of December 31, 1997 and 1996, and the related 
consolidated statements of operations, shareholders' equity and cash flows 
for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 1997, 
and the related schedule, which report appears in the December 31, 1997 
annual report on Form 10-K of Advanced Polymer Systems, Inc.





                                   /s/KPMG Peat Marwick LLP

San Francisco, California
March 27, 1998




                                 EXHIBIT INDEX
                            Form 10-K Annual Report

3-A-Copy of Registrant's Certificate of Incorporation. (1)
3-B-Copy of Registrant's Bylaws. (1)
10-C-Registrant's 1992 Stock Plan dated August 11, 1992. (2)*
10-D-Registrant's 1997 Employee Stock Purchase Plan dated March 5, 1997 
(9)*
10-E-Lease Agreement between Registrant and Metropolitan Life Insurance 
Company for lease of Registrant's executive offices in Redwood City 
dated as of November 17, 1997.
10-N-Agreement with Johnson & Johnson dated April 14, 1992. (3)
10-P-Warrant to Purchase Common Stock. (5)
10-S-Lease Agreement between Registrant and Financing for Science 
International dated September 1, 1995 (6)
10-T-Security and Loan Agreement between Registrant and Venture Lending 
dated September 27, 1995 (6)
10-U-Asset Purchase Agreement with Dow Corning Corporation dated January 
23, 1996 (7)
10-V-Investment Agreement between Registrant and the Lander Company. (8)
10-W-License, Assignment and Supply Agreement between Registrant and 
Lander Company.
21-Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders. (4)
23-Consent of Independent Auditors.
27-Financial Data Schedules
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1)Filed as an Exhibit with corresponding Exhibit No. to Registrant's 
Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 33-15429) and 
incorporated herein by reference.
(2)Filed as Exhibit No. 28.1 to Registrant's Registration Statement on 
Form S-8 (Registration No. 33- 50640), and incorporated herein by 
reference.
(3)Filed as an Exhibit with corresponding Exhibit No. to Registrant's 
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1992, and 
incorporated herein by reference.
(4)To be filed supplementally.
(5)Filed as an Exhibit with corresponding Exhibits 4.1, 4.2, 4.3 and 4.4 
to Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration 
No.33-82562) and incorporated herein by reference.
(6)Filed as an Exhibit with corresponding Exhibit No. to Registrant's 
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 
30, 1995.
(7)Filed as an Exhibit with corresponding Exhibit No. to Registrant's 
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1995, and 
incorporated herein by reference.
(8)Filed as an Exhibit with corresponding Exhibit No. to Registrant's 
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 
1996, and incorporated herein by referenced.
(9)Filed an Exhibit No. 99.1 to Registrant's Registration Statement on 
Form s-8 (Registration No. 333-35151), and incorporated herein by 
reference.
*  Management Contract or Compensatory plans.