<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF CYTRX CORPORATION FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-13-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                       6,195,526
<SECURITIES>                                 5,906,341
<RECEIVABLES>                                2,738,094
<ALLOWANCES>                                    50,713
<INVENTORY>                                     10,293
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               664,305
<PP&E>                                       7,282,267
<DEPRECIATION>                               2,483,102
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              24,474,638
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        3,400,520
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         7,978
<OTHER-SE>                                  20,397,312
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                24,474,638
<SALES>                                     13,020,411
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            14,041,212
<CGS>                                        7,102,302
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                7,102,302
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                            11,365,714
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                77,416
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             (4,234,663)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                         (4,234,663)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                (4,234,663)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (0.57)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0