1
                            SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
                    Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a)
           of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. ___)

Filed by the Registrant [X]
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [ ]

Check the appropriate box:
[ ]  Preliminary Proxy Statement
[ ]  Confidential, for Use of the commission Only (as permitted by rule 
     14a-6(e)(2))
[X]  Definitive Proxy Statement
[ ]  Definitive Additional Materials
[ ]  Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section 240.14a-11(c) or Section 240.14a-12

                                   ZILA, INC.
                (Name of Registrant As Specified In Its Charter)


  (Name of Person(s) Filing the Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
[X]  No fee required.
[ ]  Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4)0 and 0-11.

     1)  Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:

     2)  Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:

     3)  Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed 
         pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the 
         filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):

     4)  Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:

     5)  Total fee paid:

[ ]  Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

[ ]  Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act
     Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was 
     paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement 
     number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing:

     1)  Amount previously paid:

     2)  Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:

     3)  Filing Party:

     4)  Date Filed:
   2
                                   ZILA, INC.
                              5227 NORTH 7TH STREET
                           PHOENIX, ARIZONA 85014-2800
                                 (602) 266-6700

                    NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS


                                December 10, 1998

         The 1998 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Zila, Inc. (the "Company")
will be held at Marriott's Camelback Inn, 5402 East Lincoln Drive, Scottsdale,
Arizona 85253 on December 10, 1998, at 9:00 a.m., local time.

MATTERS TO BE VOTED ON:

         1.       Election of seven directors to serve for the next year or
                  until their successors are elected;

         2.       Ratification of the selection of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the
                  independent public accounting firm for the Company for the
                  fiscal year ending July 31, 1999; and

         3.       Any other matters as may properly come before the Annual
                  Meeting or any adjournment thereof.

         The close of business on October 30, 1998 has been fixed as the Record
Date for the determination of Stockholders entitled to receive notice of and to
vote at this meeting or any adjournment of the meeting. The list of stockholders
entitled to vote at this meeting is available at the offices of the Company,
5227 North 7th Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85014, for examination by any
stockholder.

         WHETHER OR NOT YOU EXPECT TO BE PRESENT AT THIS MEETING, PLEASE SIGN,
DATE AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY, WHICH IS SOLICITED BY AND ON BEHALF OF THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS. THE GIVING OF SUCH PROXY WILL NOT AFFECT YOUR RIGHT TO
REVOKE SUCH PROXY OR TO VOTE IN PERSON SHOULD YOU LATER DECIDE TO ATTEND THE
MEETING.

                                            By Order of the Board of Directors,


                                             
                                            /s/ Janice L. Backus
                                            ----------------------------------- 
                                            Janice L. Backus
                                            Vice President and Secretary


Phoenix, Arizona
November 12, 1998
   3
                                 PROXY STATEMENT

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS


                                                                                                            
GENERAL INFORMATION...........................................................................................   1
         Who Can Vote.........................................................................................   1
         Voting by Proxies....................................................................................   1
         How You May Revoke Your Proxy Instructions...........................................................   2
         How Votes are Counted................................................................................   2
         Cost of this Proxy Solicitation......................................................................   2
         Attending the Annual Meeting.........................................................................   2

WHAT VOTE IS REQUIRED TO APPROVE EACH PROPOSAL?...............................................................   2

WHO SHOULD I CALL IF I HAVE QUESTIONS?........................................................................   3

PROPOSALS.....................................................................................................   3

         PROPOSAL NO. 1 -  ELECT SEVEN DIRECTORS..............................................................   3

         PROPOSAL NO. 2  -  RATIFICATION OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS....................................   4

ABOUT THE BOARD AND ITS COMMITTEES............................................................................   8

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION........................................................................................  10

STOCK OPTION GRANTS...........................................................................................  11

AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR AND
         OPTION VALUE AS OF JULY 31, 1998.....................................................................  12

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.......................................................  13

PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS AND STOCKHOLDINGS OF MANAGEMENT........................................................  16

SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE.......................................................  17

STOCK PRICE PERFORMANCE GRAPH.................................................................................  18

PROPOSALS BY STOCKHOLDERS.....................................................................................  19

OTHER BUSINESS................................................................................................  19

ANNUAL REPORT.................................................................................................  19




                                       -i-
   4
                                 PROXY STATEMENT


         This Proxy Statement is furnished to the Stockholders of Zila, Inc., a
Delaware corporation (the "Company"), in connection with the solicitation of
proxies to be used in voting at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the "Annual
Meeting") to be held on December 10, 1998. The proxy materials were mailed on or
about November 12, 1998 to stockholders (the "Stockholders") of record at the
close of business on October 30, 1998 (the "Record Date").

         Your vote is very important. For this reason, the Board of Directors is
requesting that you allow your Common Stock to be represented at the Annual
Meeting by the persons who are named on the enclosed Proxy Card (the "Proxies").
"We," "our," "Zila," and the "Company" refer to Zila, Inc.

                               GENERAL INFORMATION


Who Can Vote               You are entitled to vote your Common Stock if our
                           records showed that you held your shares as of
                           October 30, 1998. At that date, 35,301,936 shares of
                           Common Stock were outstanding and entitled to vote.
                           Each share of Common Stock is entitled to one vote on
                           all matters on which Stockholders may vote. The
                           enclosed Proxy Card shows the number of shares that
                           you are entitled to vote. Your individual vote is
                           confidential and will not be disclosed to third
                           parties.

Voting by Proxies          If your Common Stock is held by a broker, bank or
                           other nominee (i.e. in "street name"), you will
                           receive instructions from them which you must follow
                           in order to have your shares voted. If you hold your
                           shares in your own name as a holder of record, you
                           may instruct the Proxies how to vote your Common
                           Stock by signing, dating and mailing the Proxy Card
                           in the envelope provided. Of course, you can always
                           come to the meeting and vote your shares in person.
                           If you give us a proxy without giving specific voting
                           instructions, your shares will be voted by the
                           Proxies as recommended by the Board of Directors.

                           We are not aware of any other matters to be presented
                           at the Annual Meeting except those described in this
                           Proxy Statement. However, if any other matters not
                           described in the Proxy Statement are properly
                           presented at the meeting, the Proxies will use their
                           own judgment to determine how to vote your shares. If
                           the meeting is adjourned, your Common Stock may be
                           voted by the Proxies on the new meeting date as well,
                           unless you have revoked your proxy instructions prior
                           to that time.



                                        1
   5
How You May                You may revoke you proxy instructions by any of the
Revoke Your                following procedures:
Proxy Instructions
                                    1.       Send the Company another signed
                                             proxy with a later date;

                                    2.       Send a letter to the Company's
                                             secretary revoking your proxy 
                                             before your Common Stock has been
                                             voted by the Proxies at the 
                                             meeting; or

                                    3.       Attend the Annual Meeting and vote
                                             your shares in person.

How Votes are              Inspectors of election will be appointed for the 
Counted                    meeting. The inspectors of election will determine 
                           whether or not a quorum is present and will tabulate
                           votes cast by proxy or in person at the Annual
                           Meeting. If you have returned valid proxy
                           instructions or attend the meeting in person, your
                           Common Stock will be counted for the purpose of
                           determining whether there is a quorum, even if you
                           wish to abstain from voting on some or all matters
                           introduced at the meeting. If a broker indicates on
                           the proxy that it does not have discretionary
                           authority as to certain shares to vote on a
                           particular matter, those shares will not be
                           considered as present and entitled to vote with
                           respect to that matter. 

Cost of this Proxy         We will pay the cost of this proxy solicitation,
Solicitation               including the charges and expenses of brokerage firms
                           and others who forward solicitation material to
                           beneficial owners of the Common Stock. The Company
                           will solicit proxies by mail. Proxies may also be
                           solicited by personal interview, telephone, or
                           telegraph. Corporate Investor Communications, Inc.
                           will serve as the Company's proxy solicitation agent.
                           In such capacity, Corporate Investor Communications,
                           Inc. will coordinate the distribution of proxy
                           materials to beneficial owners of Common Stock and
                           oversee the return of proxy cards. The fee for these
                           services is estimated to be $5,500. 

Attending the              
Annual Meeting             If you are a beneficial owner of Common Stock held by
                           a broker or bank, you will need proof of ownership to
                           be admitted to the meeting. A recent statement or
                           letter from a broker or bank showing your current
                           ownership and ownership of the Company's shares on
                           the record date are examples of proof of ownership.
                           Although you may attend the meeting, you will not be
                           able to vote your Common Stock held in street name in
                           person at the meeting and will have to vote through
                           your broker or bank.


                 WHAT VOTE IS REQUIRED TO APPROVE EACH PROPOSAL?


Proposal 1:                The seven nominees for director who receive the most
Election of Seven          votes will be elected.  There is no cumulative voting
Directors                  in the election of directors.



                                        2
   6
Proposal 2:                The affirmative vote of a majority of the voting 
Ratification of            power of Common Stock present at the Annual Meeting 
Independent                in person or by proxy will be required to ratify the
Public                     selection of independent auditors. Therefore, if you 
Accountants                "abstain" from voting, it has the same effect as if 
                           you voted "against" this proposal.

                     WHO SHOULD I CALL IF I HAVE QUESTIONS?

         If you have questions about the Annual Meeting or voting, please call
Janice L. Backus, our Vice President and Corporate Secretary, at (602) 266-6700.


                                    PROPOSALS

                     PROPOSAL NO. 1 - ELECT SEVEN DIRECTORS


Number of                  An entire Board of Directors, consisting of seven 
Directors to be            directors, is to be elected at the Annual Meeting. 
Elected                    Each Director elected will hold office until the next
                           annual meeting or until his successor is elected and
                           qualified. If any director resigns or otherwise is
                           unable to complete his or her term of office, the
                           Board will elect another director for the remainder
                           of the resigning director's term.

Vote Required              The seven nominees receiving the highest number of 
                           votes cast at the Annual Meeting will be elected. 
                           There is no cumulative voting in the election of 
                           directors.

Nominees of the            The Board has nominated the following individuals to
the Board                  serve on Board of Directors of the Company for the 
                           following year:

                                    Joseph Hines
                                    Clarence J. Baudhuin
                                    Carl A. Schroeder
                                    Patrick M. Lonergan
                                    Michael S. Lesser
                                    Curtis M. Rocca III
                                    Thomas B. Simone

                           All of these nominees are currently serving on the
                           Board. Each of the nominees has agreed to be named in
                           this Proxy Statement and to serve if elected. See
                           page 5 for information regarding each of the nominees
                           listed above.


                                       3
   7
         We know of no reason why any of the listed nominees would not be able
to serve. However, if any nominee is unavailable for election, the Proxies will
vote your Common Stock to approve the election of any substitute nominee
proposed by the Board.


  YOUR DIRECTORS RECOMMEND A VOTE FOR THE ELECTION OF THE SEVEN NOMINEES UNDER
                                PROPOSAL NO. 1.



         PROPOSAL NO. 2 - RATIFICATION OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

         The principal independent public accounting firm utilized by the
Company during the fiscal years ended July 31, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, and 1998
was Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent certified public accountants (the
"Auditors"). The Board of Directors presently contemplates that the Auditors
will be retained as the principal accounting firm to be utilized by the Company
throughout the fiscal year ending July 31, 1999. The Company anticipates that a
representative of the Auditors will attend the Annual Meeting for the purpose of
responding to appropriate questions. At the Annual Meeting, a representative of
the Auditors will be afforded an opportunity to make a statement if the Auditors
so desire.

         The Proxies will vote in favor of ratifying the selection of Deloitte &
Touche LLP unless instructions to the contrary are indicated on the accompanying
proxy form.


               YOUR DIRECTORS RECOMMEND A VOTE FOR PROPOSAL NO. 2.


                                       4
   8
                    BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS


         Information regarding the names, ages, positions with the Company and
the Board, and business experience of each of the directors and nominees is set
forth in the table below. Each director has served continuously with the Company
since his first election as indicated below.



                                                                                               DIRECTOR
                 NAME                       AGE                   POSITION(S)                   SINCE
                 ----                       ---                   -----------                  --------
                                                                                      
Joseph Hines                                70       Chairman of the Board,                      1983
                                                     President and Chief
                                                     Executive Officer
Clarence J. Baudhuin (1)                    69       Assistant to the President on               1983
                                                     Special Projects and Director
Carl A. Schroeder (1)                       69       Director                                    1984
Patrick M. Lonergan (1), (2)                63       Director                                    1992
Michael S. Lesser (2)                       56       Director                                    1995
Curtis M. Rocca III                         36       Director                                    1997
Thomas B. Simone (2)                        56       Director                                    1998


(1) Member of the Audit Committee
(2) Member of the Compensation Committee.


Joseph Hines               Mr. Hines has served as President and Chief Executive
                           Officer of the Company since 1983. From 1976 until
                           1983, Mr. Hines owned and operated Desert Valley
                           Companies, Inc., a management consulting firm
                           headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona. From 1966 until
                           1976, Mr. Hines served as Chief Executive Officer of
                           several subsidiaries of Dart Industries, formerly
                           Rexall Drug and Chemical Company.


                                       5
   9
Clarence J. Baudhuin       Mr. Baudhuin has served the Company in his present
                           capacity since 1998. From 1983 through 1997, Mr.
                           Baudhuin served as Executive Vice President of
                           Finance and Administration, Chief Financial Officer
                           and Treasurer of the Company. He also served as
                           Secretary of the Company from September 1983 until
                           April 1989. From May 1981 until July 1983, Mr.
                           Baudhuin acted as Senior Vice President of Finance
                           for Mattel Toy Company. Prior to that time, Mr.
                           Baudhuin was Senior Vice President of the
                           Chemical-Plastics Group of Dart Industries. Mr.
                           Baudhuin is a certified public accountant.

Carl A. Schroeder          Mr. Schroeder is retired. From September 1991 to
                           August 1996, Mr. Schroeder was the President of Dixon
                           Capital Corp. Between 1982 and September 1991, Mr.
                           Schroeder was a private business consultant. Mr.
                           Schroeder was also a principal in certain mining,
                           drilling and farming operations from 1987 to 1992.
                           From 1977 to 1982, he served as Chief Financial
                           Officer with a high technology division of the MEAD
                           Corporation. Mr. Schroeder received an engineering
                           degree from MIT and an MBA degree from Harvard
                           Business School.

Patrick M. Lonergan        Mr. Lonergan is the co-founder of Numark
                           Laboratories, Inc. and has served as its President
                           since January 1989. From 1973 through December 1989,
                           Mr. Lonergan was employed in various capacities by
                           Johnson & Johnson Products Inc., or one of its
                           affiliates. When Mr. Lonergan left Johnson & Johnson
                           Products Inc. in 1989, his position was Vice
                           President & General Manager.

Michael S. Lesser          Mr. Lesser is the president of T.V. Direct, Inc. and
                           the founder of Lesser & Roffe Company, a business
                           development consulting company. He has served as its
                           Chief Executive Officer since 1990. Prior to founding
                           Lesser & Roffe Company, Mr. Lesser served as
                           President of Ogilvy & Mather Co., Inc. from 1989 to
                           1990, as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Lowe
                           Marschalk Co., Inc. (a subsidiary of Revlon) from
                           1980 to 1989, and as Executive Vice President and
                           General Manager of Norcliff Thayer, Inc. (a
                           subsidiary of Interpublic) from 1973 to 1979.



                                       6
   10
Curtis M. Rocca III        Mr. Rocca is the Chief Executive Officer and Director
                           of Dental Partners, Inc., a privately held dental
                           practice consulting and management company. Prior to
                           joining Dental Partners, Mr. Rocca was President of
                           the Zila Professional Products Group, having held
                           this position following Zila's acquisition of
                           Bio-Dental Technologies Corporation in January 1997.
                           Prior to the firm's acquisition by Zila, Mr. Rocca
                           served as President, CEO and Chairman of Bio-Dental.
                           Mr. Rocca holds a B.A. in Economics from the
                           University of California at Davis, where he graduated
                           with honors. Mr. Rocca currently serves as a director
                           of Pacific Grain Products, Inc., Woodland,
                           California.

Thomas B. Simone           Mr. Simone has been President and CEO of Simone &
                           Associates, a firm that invests in and consults with
                           health care companies, since April 1994, and has been
                           Chairman of the Board and CEO of IBV Technologies,
                           Inc., a pharmaceutical compliance systems company
                           since October 1996. From February 1991 to March 1994,
                           he was President of McKesson Drug Company, a national
                           drug wholesaler that supplies branded and generic
                           pharmaceuticals and health and beauty care products
                           to drug stores, supermarkets, mass merchandisers and
                           hospital and alternate site pharmaceutical providers.
                           From 1989 until becoming President of McKesson, Mr.
                           Simone held a number of executive positions with
                           McKesson and its subsidiaries.


                               EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

                           Information regarding the names, ages, positions with
                           the Company, and business experience of the Company's
                           Executive Officers is set forth below.


Bradley C. Anderson        Mr. Anderson, age 37, joined the Company as Vice
                           President and Treasurer in November 1996 and was
                           named Chief Financial Officer in January 1998. Prior
                           to joining the Company, from 1985 to 1996, Mr.
                           Anderson was employed by Deloitte & Touche LLP, most
                           recently as an Audit Senior Manager, in which
                           capacity Mr. Anderson provided auditing, planning,
                           and other assistance and consulting to numerous
                           privately and publicly held companies, including the
                           Company. Mr. Anderson received his B.S. in
                           Accountancy from Brigham Young University. Mr.
                           Anderson is a Certified Public Accountant.


                                       7
   11
Janice L. Backus           Ms. Backus, age 49, has served as Secretary of the
                           Company since April 1989 and in 1993 was named a Vice
                           President of the Company. From 1983 until April 1989,
                           Ms. Backus served as Assistant Secretary of the
                           Company. Ms. Backus has also served as the Assistant
                           to the President since 1983. Prior to joining the
                           Company, Ms. Backus held administrative and
                           secretarial positions with the American Heart
                           Association, Arizona Division, BX International and
                           Century Capital Corporation.


Rocco Anselmo              Mr. Anselmo, age 49, joined the Company in 1993 as
                           the Vice President and General Manager of Zila
                           Pharmaceuticals, Inc. In January 1997 Mr. Anselmo
                           became President of Zila Pharmaceuticals and a Vice
                           President of the Company. From 1983 to 1993, Mr.
                           Anselmo held various positions with Oral-B
                           Laboratories, Inc., most recently as General Manager
                           of Oral-B Labs International from 1991 to 1993. From
                           1972 to 1983, Mr. Anselmo held various sales and
                           marketing positions with S.C. Johnson and Sterling
                           Drug Company.

                       ABOUT THE BOARD AND ITS COMMITTEES


The Board                  The Company is governed by a Board of Directors and
                           various committees which meet throughout the year.
                           During the fiscal year ended July 31, 1998, the Board
                           of Directors of the Company met on five occasions.
                           All other actions taken by the Board of Directors
                           during the fiscal year ended July 31, 1998 were
                           accomplished by means of unanimous written consent.
                           During the period in which he served as director,
                           each of the directors attended 75% or more of the
                           meetings of the Board of Directors and of the
                           meetings held by committees of the Board on which he
                           served.

Board                      The Board has two principal committees, the 
Committees                 Compensation Committee and the Audit Committee. The
                           function of each of these committees is described
                           below, along with the current membership and number
                           of meetings held during the fiscal year ended July
                           31, 1998. The Company does not maintain a standing
                           nominating committee or other committee performing
                           similar functions.

Compensation               The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors,
Committee                  which met once during the fiscal year ended July 31,
                           1998, administers the Company's Stock Option Award
                           Plan, reviews all aspects of compensation of the
                           Company's officers and makes recommendations on such
                           matters to the full Board of Directors. During the
                           fiscal year ended July 31, 1998, there were three
                           members of the Compensation Committee. Patrick M.
                           Lonergan and Michael S. Lesser served for the full
                           fiscal year, Douglas L. Ayer served until his
                           resignation in February 1998, and Thomas B. Simone
                           served from the date of Mr. Ayer's resignation
                           through the end of the fiscal year.


                                       8
   12
            
Audit                      The Audit Committee, which met once during the fiscal
Committee                  year ended July 31, 1998, makes recommendations to
                           the Board concerning the selection of outside
                           auditors, reviews the financial statements of the
                           Company and considers such other matters in relation
                           to the internal and external audit of the financial
                           affairs of the Company as may be necessary or
                           appropriate in order to facilitate accurate and
                           timely financial reporting. During the fiscal year
                           ended July 31, 1998, there were three members of the
                           Audit Committee, Clarence J. Baudhuin, Carl A.
                           Schroeder, and Patrick M. Lonergan.

Director                   As of December 11, 1997 non-employee members of the 
Compensation               Company's Board of Directors receive compensation in 
                           the amount of $1,500 per meeting of the Board of
                           Directors attended by such Director in person, and
                           $500 per meeting of the Board of Directors attended
                           by such Director by telephone. In 1989, the Board of
                           Directors adopted and the Stockholders approved the
                           Company's Non-Employee Directors Stock Option Plan
                           (the "Directors Plan"). Under the terms of the
                           Directors Plan, immediately exercisable options to
                           purchase 2,500 shares of Common Stock are granted to
                           each non-employee member of the Board of Directors on
                           the third trading day following the day the Company
                           publicly announces its year-end financial results for
                           the immediately preceding fiscal year; provided,
                           however, that options may not be granted to any
                           non-employee director who, during the fiscal year
                           immediately preceding the grant date, attended less
                           than 75% of the Board meetings and committee meetings
                           (if he is a member of such committee) held while he
                           was a member of the Board of Directors. The per share
                           price at which the options may be exercised is the
                           average of the closing bid and asked prices of the
                           Common Stock on the date of grant. The term of each
                           option granted under the Directors Plan is five years
                           from the date of grant. The Board may from time to
                           time amend the Directors Plan in whole or in part in
                           such respects as the Board may deem advisable, or may
                           terminate the Directors Plan. 

                           On October 7, 1998, November 3, 1997, November 1,
                           1996 and November 3, 1995 each non-employee director
                           then serving on the Board was granted an option to
                           purchase 2,500 shares of Common Stock at per share
                           exercise prices of $4.3125, $7.00, $6.59 and $4.00,
                           respectively. As of October 30, 1998, options to
                           purchase 84,141 shares of Common Stock granted under
                           the Directors Plan have been exercised.


                                       9
   13
                             EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

         The table below sets forth annual and long-term compensation for
services in all capacities to the Company for the fiscal years ended July 31,
1998, 1997 and 1996, of the persons who were, at July 31, 1998: (i) the Chief
Executive Officer and (ii) the other executive officers of the Company (the
"Named Officers") whose total annual salary and bonus exceeded $100,000.



                                                                                       Long-Term
                                           Annual Compensation                        Compensation
                                           -------------------                        ------------
                                                                       Other
                                                                       Annual         Securities
                                                                     Compensa-        Underlying          All Other
Name and Principal Position        Year     Salary($)    Bonus ($)     tion($)       Options/SARs(#)   Compensation (1)
- ---------------------------        ----     ---------    ---------    -------       ---------------   ----------------
                                                                                         
Joseph Hines                       1998       $180,833       --         --             25,000         $  2,712
President, Chief Executive         1997        175,000       --         --             25,300            2,625
Officer and Director               1996        169,431       --         --             23,029            2,315
                                                                                                     
Bradley C. Anderson                1998        113,333       --         --             75,000            1,700
Vice President and Chief                                                                             
Financial Officer                                                                                    
                                                                                                     
Rocco Anselmo                      1998        161,792       --         --             75,000            2,427
Vice President of Zila, Inc.       1997        157,300   $ 31,460       --             17,680            2,682
and President of Zila              1996        152,536     25,000       --            115,651            2,453
Pharmaceuticals, Inc.                                                                           



(1)      Represents Company 401(k) plan matching contributions.


                                       10
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                               STOCK OPTION GRANTS


         The following Named Officers were granted stock options under the
Company's Stock Option Award Plan during the fiscal year ended July 31, 1998.

                                        
                       OPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR


                                                  Individual Grants                             Potential Realizable
                            -----------------------------------------------------------               Value at
                                                                                                   Assumed Annual
                                                                                                      Rates of
                                              % of Total                                           Stock Price
                                                Options                                          Appreciation for
                                              Granted to       Exercise or                       Option Term(3)
                               Option        Employees in      Base Price     Expiration     ----------------------
Name                        Granted(1)(#)     Fiscal Year    (per share)(2)      Date        5% ($)        10% ($)  
- ----                        -------------     -----------    --------------      ----        ------        -------  
                                                                                             
Joseph Hines                   25,000             4.3            5.8125         12/07        109,202         259,960
Bradley C. Anderson            75,000            12.8            5.8125         12/07        327,607         779,879
Rocco Anselmo                  75,000            12.8            5.8125         12/07        327,607         779,879




(1)      All options granted in the fiscal year ended July 31, 1998 are fully
         exercisable, except for Rocco Anselmo's options, which become
         exercisable at the rate of 25,000 per year on December 11 of 1998, 1999
         and 2000.

(2)      All options were granted at the fair market value (the mean of the
         final closing bid and asked prices of the Common Stock on the NASDAQ)
         on the date of grant. The exercise price and tax withholding
         obligations related to exercise may be paid by delivery of already
         owned shares or by offset of the underlying shares, subject to certain
         conditions.

(3)      Potential gains are reported net of the option exercise price, but
         before taxes associated with exercise. These amounts are based upon
         certain assumed rates of appreciation. Actual gains, if any, on stock
         option exercises are dependent on the future performance of the Common
         Stock and overall stock market conditions, as well as the option
         holder's continued employment. The amounts reflected in this table may
         not necessarily be achieved.



                                       11
   15
               AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR AND
                        OPTION VALUE AS OF JULY 31, 1998


         The following table sets forth information with respect to the exercise
of stock options pursuant to the Company's Stock Option Award Plan during the
fiscal year ended July 31, 1998 by the Named Officers.




                                                                                                      Value of Unexercised
                                                         Number of Unexercised                                In-the-Money
                                                              Options at                                        Options at
                                                          Fiscal Year End (#)                          Fiscal Year End ($)
                                                     ----------------------------                      -------------------
                     Shares
                   Acquired on         Value
Name               Exercise(#)    Realized ($)(1)    Exercisable(2) Unexercisable     Exercisable(3)    Unexercisable(3)
- ----               -----------    ---------------    -------------- -------------     --------------    ----------------
                                                                                       
Joseph Hines              -0-             -0-            412,269          -0-             1,410,568              -0-

Bradley C                 -0-             -0-            110,000       70,000(4)             35,168              -0-
Anderson

Rocco                  55,949         181,862             17,680       75,000(5)                -0-           35,168
Anselmo


(1)      Represents the market value of the underlying securities on the date of
         exercise, minus the exercise price of the options.

(2)      Options are considered to be exercisable if they could be exercised on
         or before July 31, 1998.

(3)      Represents the difference between the bid and asked closing prices
         ($6.2814) of the Company's Common Stock on July 31, 1998 and the
         exercise price of the options.

(4)      These options become exercisable at the rate of 35,000 per year on
         November 25, 1998 and 1999.

(5)      These options become exercisable at the rate of 25,000 per year on
         December 11 of 1998, 1999 and 2000.

                                       12
   16
             COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION



  

What is our                Decisions on compensation of the Company's executive
Compensation               officers are made by the three-member Compensation
Philosophy?                Committee of the Board of Directors (the
                           "Committee"). Each member of the Committee is a
                           non-employee director. The Committee is responsible
                           for setting and administering the policies that
                           govern both annual compensation and stock ownership
                           programs. The Committee follows the belief that
                           compensation should be based upon the following
                           subjective principles:

                            -      Compensation programs should reflect and
                                   promote the Company's values, and reward
                                   individuals for contributions to the
                                   Company's success.

                            -      Compensation should be related to the value
                                   created for stockholders.

                            -      Compensation programs should integrate the
                                   long- and short-term strategies of the
                                   Company.

                            -      Compensation programs should be designed to
                                   attract and retain executives critical to the
                                   success of the Company.

                            -      Stock ownership by management and stock-based
                                   compensation plans are beneficial in aligning
                                   the interests of management and the
                                   stockholders in the enhancement of
                                   stockholder value. 

                           Total compensation for each member of senior
                           management is set by the Committee at levels which it
                           believes are competitive in relation to companies of
                           similar type and size; however, no independent
                           investigation of such levels has been conducted by
                           the Committee. The components of executive
                           compensation include salary, equity participation in
                           the Company in the form of options to purchase common
                           stock, and a bonus plan. Compensation for executive
                           officers of the Company is usually set by the
                           Committee in December of each fiscal year. Due to the
                           level of compensation received by the officers of the
                           Company, the Committee has not yet deemed it
                           necessary to adopt a policy regarding the one
                           million-dollar cap on deductibility of certain
                           executive compensation under Section 162(m) of the
                           Internal Revenue Code.


                                       13
   17
Base Salary       Salary recommendations are submitted annually to the
                  Committee by senior management. In evaluating such
                  recommendations, the Committee takes into account management's
                  efforts to improve net sales and expand the number of markets
                  into which the Company's products are distributed and sold.
                  The Committee also takes into account management's consistent
                  commitment to the long-term success of the Company through the
                  development of new and improved products, as well as
                  management's innovative financing arrangements for the
                  Company's marketing programs. Such efforts have permitted the
                  Company to initiate marketing programs more extensive than
                  what might not otherwise be available to a company of similar
                  size and with similar resources.

                  Based upon its evaluation of these factors, the Committee
                  believes that senior management is dedicated to achieving
                  long-term financial improvements and that the compensation
                  policies, plans and programs administered by the Committee
                  contribute to management's commitment. The Committee attempts
                  to assimilate all of the foregoing factors when it renders its
                  compensation decisions; however, the Committee recognizes that
                  its decisions are primarily subjective in nature due to the
                  subjective nature of the criteria. The Committee does not
                  assign any specified weight to the criteria it considers.

                  Base salary recommendations are fixed at levels that the
                  Committee believes are paid to management with comparable
                  qualifications, experience and responsibilities at other
                  corporations of similar size engaged in similar business as
                  the Company; however, no independent investigation of such
                  levels has been conducted by the Committee. The Committee's
                  recommendations are offered to the full Board of Directors.
                  The Committee's recommendation is ultimately ratified,
                  changed, or rejected by the full Board of Directors. In the
                  past three fiscal years, the average annual salary increase
                  for the Chief Executive Officer has been approximately 5.2%,
                  and the average annual salary increase for other senior
                  management has been approximately 11.9%.

Options           The Committee administers the Company's Stock Option Award
                  Plan (the "Award Plan"). All employees of the Company are
                  eligible to participate in the Award Plan. The exercise price
                  of options granted under the Award Plan is never less than the
                  fair market value of the Company's common stock on the day of
                  grant. The number of options granted by the Committee are
                  based upon the Committee's evaluation of the same factors
                  described above under "Base Salary." The Committee also takes
                  into account the relative scope of accountability and the
                  anticipated performance requirements and contributions of each
                  employee, as well as each employee's current equity
                  participation in the Company. In addition, the Committee seeks
                  the recommendation of


                                       14
   18
                  senior management with respect to options granted to all
                  employees of the Company, including the Chief Executive
                  Officer and senior management. During the fiscal year ending
                  July 31, 1998, the Committee granted options representing
                  586,000 shares of Common Stock under the Award Plan.

Bonus             Senior management bonus compensation is paid under the
                  Company's Performance Bonus Plan (the "Plan"). The Plan was
                  adopted by the Board of Directors and the Committee during
                  fiscal year 1993 and, as of the date of this report, no
                  bonuses have been awarded. Bonuses awarded under the Plan may
                  not exceed 30% of a senior manager's annual base salary. The
                  components which are considered under the terms of the Plan
                  are the Company's net sales and sales volume and the job
                  performance. Each member of senior management is eligible for
                  a bonus of up to 15% of the member's base salary if the
                  Company's annual net profits improve by 25% over the prior
                  year and a bonus of up to 7.5% of the senior manager's base
                  salary if the Company's annual sales volume increases by more
                  than 75% over the prior year. Performance components of the
                  senior manager's bonus may be as great as 7.5% of the senior
                  manager's annual base salary and are based upon subjective
                  criteria.

Chief             Mr. Hines has served as President and Chief Executive Officer
Executive         of the Company since 1983. As Chief Executive Officer, Mr.
Officer           Hines receives a base salary as well as stock options under
                  the Award Plan and is eligible to participate in the Plan. In
                  February 1997, Mr. Hines' employment agreement ceased to be of
                  any further effect; however, Mr. Hines will continue as the
                  President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. The
                  Committee's evaluation process of the Chief Executive
                  Officer's compensation is comprised of the same components
                  that are utilized in evaluating other members of senior
                  management. Mr. Hines' current base salary was set at the 1997
                  Annual Meeting of the Board of Directors. During the fiscal
                  year ended July 31, 1998, the Committee granted Mr. Hines
                  options to purchase a total of 25,000 shares of the Company's
                  Common Stock under the Award Plan. All the options were
                  granted at fair market value, were immediately exercisable,
                  and expire ten years after the date of grant.

                                             Compensation Committee
 
                                             Patrick M. Lonergan, Chairman
                                             Michael S. Lesser
                                             Thomas B. Simone


                                       15
   19
             PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS AND STOCKHOLDINGS OF MANAGEMENT

         The following table sets forth, as of September 30, 1998, the number
and percentage of outstanding shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by (a)
each person known by the Company to beneficially own more than 5% of such stock,
(b) each director of the Company, (c) each of the Named Officers, and (d) all
directors and executive officers of the Company as a group.



              NAME AND ADDRESS OF           SHARES BENEFICIALLY    PERCENT OF
                BENEFICIAL OWNER                  OWNED            COMMON STOCK
               ------------------           -------------------    ------------
                                                              
Joseph Hines(1)                                1,362,271(2)          3.9%

Clarence J. Baudhuin(1)                          849,273(3)          2.4%

Bradley C. Anderson(1)                           145,500(4)            *

Rocco Anselmo(1)                                  99,024(5)            *

Carl Schroeder(1)                                 25,000(6)            *

Patrick M. Lonergan(1)                            18,846(7)            *

Michael S. Lesser(1)                               8,500(8)            *

Curtis M. Rocca III(1)                            83,121               *

Thomas B. Simone(1)                                  -0-               *

All officers and directors as a group
(10 persons)                                   2,907,645(9)          8.2%


- -----------------------------------

*        Represents less than 1%.

(1)      The address of this stockholder is c/o Zila, Inc., 5227 North 7th
         Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85014-2800.

(2)      Includes 412,269 shares of Common Stock which are subject to
         unexercised options that were exercisable on September 30, 1998 or
         within sixty days thereafter.

(3)      Includes 46,537 shares of Common Stock which are subject to unexercised
         options that were exercisable on September 30, 1998 or within sixty
         days thereafter and 3,000 shares of Common Stock held in trust for the
         benefit of Mr. Baudhuin's son.

(4)      Includes 145,000 shares of Common Stock which are subject to
         unexercised options that were exercisable on September 30, 1998 or
         within sixty days thereafter, and does not include 35,000 shares of
         Common Stock which are subject to unexercised options that become
         exercisable on November 25, 1999.

                                       16
   20
(5)      Includes 17,680 shares of Common Stock which are subject to unexercised
         options that were exercisable on September 30, 1998 or within sixty
         days thereafter, and does not include 75,000 shares of Common Stock
         which are subject to unexercised options that become exercisable over a
         three-year period on December 11 of 1998, 1999 and 2000.

(6)      Includes 12,500 shares of Common Stock which are subject to unexercised
         options that were exercisable on September 30, 1998 or within sixty
         days thereafter.

(7)      Includes 12,500 shares of Common Stock which are subject to unexercised
         options that were exercisable on September 30, 1998 or within sixty
         days thereafter.

(8)      Includes 7,500 shares of Common Stock which are subject to unexercised
         options that were exercisable on September 30, 1998 or within sixty
         days thereafter.

(9)      Includes the shares of Common Stock subject to the options and warrants
         to purchase described above and 240,852 shares of Common Stock which
         are subject to unexercised options that were exercisable on September
         30, 1998 or within sixty days thereafter.

             SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

         Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange
Act") requires the Company's officers and directors and persons who beneficially
own more than 10% of a registered class of the Company's equity securities to
file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the Securities and
Exchange Commission and the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated
Quotation System. Officers, directors and greater than 10% stockholders are
required by Exchange Act regulations to furnish the Company with copies of all
Section 16(a) forms they file.

         Based solely on its review of the copies of such forms received by it,
or written representations from certain reporting persons that no Forms were
required for such persons, the Company believes that during the fiscal year
ended July 31, 1998 its officers, directors, and greater than 10% beneficial
owners have complied with all filing requirements applicable to them.


                                       17
   21
                          STOCK PRICE PERFORMANCE GRAPH

         The graph below compares the cumulative total return of the Company's
Common Stock with the NASDAQ stock market index (U.S. companies) and the NASDAQ
pharmaceutical index from July 31, 1993 to July 31, 1998.

Zila Inc (ZILA)



                                           CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN
                            ---------------------------------------------------
                             7/93     7/94     7/95     7/96     7/97     7/98
                                                       
ZILA, INC.                  100.00   121.57   127.45   243.14   229.41   196.08
NASDAQ STOCK MARKET (U.S.)  100.00   102.91   144.50   157.43   232.31   274.20
NASDAQ PHARMACEUTICAL       100.00    88.72   124.15   150.06   176.13   177.28



                                       18
   22
                            PROPOSALS BY STOCKHOLDERS

         Any Stockholder proposal that is intended to be presented at the
Company's 1999 Annual Meeting of Stockholders must be received at the Company's
principal executive offices by no later than July 16, 1999, if such proposal is
to be considered for inclusion in the Company's proxy statement and form of
proxy relating to such meeting.


                                 OTHER BUSINESS

         The Annual Meeting is being held for the purposes set forth in the
Notice that accompanies this Proxy Statement. The Board is not presently aware
of any business to be transacted at the Annual Meeting other than as set forth
in the Notice.


                                  ANNUAL REPORT

         The Company's Annual Report with certified financial statements for the
fiscal year ended July 31, 1998 accompanies this Notice and Proxy Statement and
was mailed to all shareholders of record on or about November 12, 1998. Any
exhibit to the Annual Report will be furnished to any requesting person who sets
forth a good faith representation that he or she was a beneficial owner of the
Company's Common Stock on October 30, 1998.


                                           By Order of the Board of Directors,
                                            
                                           /s/ Janice L. Backus
                                           ----------------------------
                                           Janice L. Backus
                                           Vice President and Secretary

Phoenix, Arizona

                                       19
   23
 
PROXY                              ZILA, INC.                              PROXY
 
              PROXY SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
 
  The undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints JOSEPH HINES, JANICE L. BACKUS
and BRADLEY C. ANDERSON, or any of them acting in the absence of the others,
with full power of substitution, the true and lawful attorneys and proxies of
the undersigned, to attend the Annual Meeting of the Stockholders of ZILA, INC.
(the "Company") to be held at Marriott's Camelback Inn, 5402 East Lincoln Drive,
Scottsdale, Arizona 85253 on December 10, 1998, at 9:00 a.m., local time, and
any adjournments thereof, and to vote the shares of Common Stock of the Company
standing in the name of the undersigned, as directed below, with all the powers
the undersigned would possess if personally present at the meeting.
 
  Proposal No. 1:  To elect seven directors to the Company's Board to serve for
the next year or until their successors are elected.
 
  NOMINEES:  JOSEPH HINES, CLARENCE J. BAUDHUIN, CARL A. SCHROEDER, PATRICK M.
             LONERGAN, MICHAEL S. LESSER, CURTIS M. ROCCA III and THOMAS B.
             SIMONE.
 
- ----------  VOTE for all nominees except those whose names are written on the
            line provided below (if any).
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
- ----------  VOTE WITHHELD on all nominees
 
  Proposal No. 2:  Ratification of the selection of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the
independent public accounting firm for the Company for the fiscal year ending
July 31, 1999. (Mark only one)
 
- ----------  VOTE FOR
- ----------  VOTE AGAINST
- ----------  VOTE WITHHELD
 
          PLEASE PROMPTLY DATE, SIGN AND RETURN IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.
   24
 
    This proxy will be voted in accordance with the directions indicated herein.
If no specific directions are given, this proxy will be voted for approval of
all nominees listed herein, for approval of the proposals listed herein and,
with respect to any other business as may properly come before the meeting, in
accordance with the discretion of the proxies.
 
DATED:
- ---------------------------------------------, 1998
 
                                              ----------------------------------
                                              (Signature)
 
                                              ----------------------------------
                                              (Signature)
 
                                              When signing as executor,
                                              administrator, attorney, trustee
                                              or guardian, please give full
                                              title as such. If a corporation,
                                              please sign in full corporate name
                                              by president or other authorized
                                              officer. If a partnership, please
                                              sign in partnership name by
                                              authorized person. If a joint
                                              tenancy, please have both joint
                                              tenants sign.