<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS OF ADVANCED
VIRAL RESEARCH CORP. FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN
ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1998
<CASH>                                       1,130,364
<SECURITIES>                                   378,000
<RECEIVABLES>                                        0
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<PP&E>                                         752,897
<DEPRECIATION>                                   3,916
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,590,030
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          275,407
<BONDS>                                              0
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<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         2,961
<OTHER-SE>                                           0
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<SALES>                                              0
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<CGS>                                                0
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<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             306,231
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             (2,249,754)
<INCOME-TAX>                                (2,249,754)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                         (2,249,754)
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