<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM MAXYGEN,
INC.'S QUARTERLY REPORT ON FROM 10-Q FOR THE PERIOD ENDED JUNE 30, 2000 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-2000
<CASH>                                         213,923
<SECURITIES>                                     9,995
<RECEIVABLES>                                    6,087
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               231,156
<PP&E>                                           6,804
<DEPRECIATION>                                   1,596
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 284,586
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           10,519
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             3
<OTHER-SE>                                     270,361
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   284,586
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                11,569
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                27,944
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 108
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (9,984)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (9,984)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (9,984)
<EPS-BASIC>                                     (0.34)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.34)