<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF GENELABS TECHNOLOGIES, INC. FOR THE SIX
MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1998
<CASH>                                           2,218
<SECURITIES>                                    18,069
<RECEIVABLES>                                    1,926
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                      2,327
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                24,764
<PP&E>                                          12,345
<DEPRECIATION>                                  10,385
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  28,154
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            6,720
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                      9,682
<COMMON>                                       137,982
<OTHER-SE>                                   (126,830)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    28,154
<SALES>                                          4,096
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 7,533
<CGS>                                            2,165
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    2,165
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                10,685
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               (492)
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (3,180)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (3,180)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (3,180)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (0.08)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.08)