<ARTICLE>  5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM AVITAR'S
QUARTERLY REPORT FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>1000
       
                                                    
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                          6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                      SEP-30-1999
<PERIOD-START>                                          OCT-1-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                           MAR-31-1999
<CASH>                                                     335,919
<SECURITIES>                                                     0
<RECEIVABLES>                                              733,480
<ALLOWANCES>                                                     0
<INVENTORY>                                                177,669
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                         1,319,308
<PP&E>                                                     992,928
<DEPRECIATION>                                             838,298
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                           1,489,986
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                    1,555,607
<BONDS>                                                          0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                            0
<PREFERRED>                                                 18,901
<COMMON>                                                   199,194
<OTHER-SE>                                                (314,196)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                             1,489,986
<SALES>                                                    965,916
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                           965,916
<CGS>                                                      833,226
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                            1,885,041
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                 0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                          90,141
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                           (954,900)
<INCOME-TAX>                                                     0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                       (954,900)
<DISCONTINUED>                                                   0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                  0
<CHANGES>                                                        0
<NET-INCOME>                                              (954,900)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                 (.04)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                 (.04)