<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF GENELABS TECHNOLOGIES, INC. FOR THE PERIOD
ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                           1,673
<SECURITIES>                                    21,782
<RECEIVABLES>                                    2,163
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                      2,720
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                28,937
<PP&E>                                          11,638
<DEPRECIATION>                                  10,381
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  34,639
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            6,698
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                      9,682
<COMMON>                                       137,350
<OTHER-SE>                                   (119,853)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    34,639
<SALES>                                          7,482
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 9,824
<CGS>                                            4,489
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    4,489
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                15,706
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             (1,048)
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (9,323)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (9,323)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (9,323)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (0.24)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.24)