<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS FOR THE
FIRST QUARTER 10-Q OF ADVANCED VIRAL RESEARCH CORP. FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED
MARCH 31, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998
<CASH>                                       1,735,681
<SECURITIES>                                   566,000
<RECEIVABLES>                                        0
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
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<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             2,351,394
<PP&E>                                         796,963
<DEPRECIATION>                                 218,206
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               3,253,058
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          268,243
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
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<COMMON>                                         2,902
<OTHER-SE>                                   2,363,870
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 3,253,058
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                29,397
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               851,987
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             275,248
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             (1,097,838)
<INCOME-TAX>                                (1,097,838)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                         (1,097,838)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                (1,097,838)
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