<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF AVANT IMMUNOTHERAPEUTICS, INC. FOR
THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2000 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY
BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-2000
<CASH>                                      18,761,600
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                        0
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            19,699,400
<PP&E>                                       4,756,000
<DEPRECIATION>                             (3,590,100)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              24,536,600
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        2,307,700
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        50,100
<OTHER-SE>                                  19,086,900
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                24,536,600
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               153,800
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                2,557,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                            (2,123,400)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                        (2,123,400)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                               (2,123,400)
<EPS-BASIC>                                     (0.04)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.04)