<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM ECLIPSE
SURGICAL TECHNOLOGIES FORM 10-Q 3/31/97 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                          21,270
<SECURITIES>                                    26,691
<RECEIVABLES>                                    1,863
<ALLOWANCES>                                     (308)
<INVENTORY>                                      3,093
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                35,442
<PP&E>                                           2,030
<DEPRECIATION>                                   (572)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  54,468
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            2,807
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        51,643
<OTHER-SE>                                           0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    54,468
<SALES>                                          1,208
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 1,208
<CGS>                                              630
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                      630
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 4,933
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   308
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   6
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (3,857)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (3,857)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (3,857)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                  $(0.24)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0