<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM AVITAR'S
REPORT FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY
BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1
       
                                                     
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                                 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                       SEP-30-1997
<PERIOD-START>                                          OCT-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                            MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                                       95,297
<SECURITIES>                                                      0
<RECEIVABLES>                                               378,102
<ALLOWANCES>                                                  7,000
<INVENTORY>                                                 131,490
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                            698,536
<PP&E>                                                      380,085
<DEPRECIATION>                                                    0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                            5,653,908
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                     1,586,169
<BONDS>                                                           0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                             0
<PREFERRED>                                                   8,172
<COMMON>                                                    119,282
<OTHER-SE>                                                3,732,789
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                              5,653,908
<SALES>                                                   1,091,806
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                          1,091,806
<CGS>                                                     1,161,411
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                             2,833,558
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                  0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                  0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                           44,301
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                          (1,782,266)
<INCOME-TAX>                                                  7,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                      (1,789,266)
<DISCONTINUED>                                                    0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                   0
<CHANGES>                                                         0
<NET-INCOME>                                             (1,789,266)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                  (.21)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                  (.21)