<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF GENELABS TECHNOLOGIES, INC. FOR THE QUARTER
ENDED MARCH 31, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998
<CASH>                                           2,419
<SECURITIES>                                    14,843
<RECEIVABLES>                                    2,971
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                      2,514
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                23,081
<PP&E>                                          12,287
<DEPRECIATION>                                  10,343
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  28,819
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            6,717
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                      9,682
<COMMON>                                       137,858
<OTHER-SE>                                   (126,154)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    28,819
<SALES>                                          2,194
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 4,008
<CGS>                                            1,169
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    1,169
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 5,308
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               (255)
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (2,214)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (2,214)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (2,214)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (0.06)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.06)