<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS FOUND ON PAGES F2 AND F3 OF QUIDEL'S FORM
10-K FOR THE YEAR-TO-DATE, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             APR-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1999
<CASH>                                           4,672
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   13,479
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,604
<INVENTORY>                                      8,327
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                25,339
<PP&E>                                          21,207
<DEPRECIATION>                                  11,096
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  68,040
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           12,856
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            24
<OTHER-SE>                                      43,731
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    68,040
<SALES>                                         38,934
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                42,241
<CGS>                                           19,959
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   42,695
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 213
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  (645)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              (645)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                  (891)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (1,536)
<EPS-BASIC>                                     (0.06)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.06)