<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AND STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS OF ADVANCED VIRAL
RESEARCH CORP FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>

                                                          
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                                    12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                           DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                                              JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                                DEC-31-1998
<CASH>                                                          924,420
<SECURITIES>                                                    821,047
<RECEIVABLES>                                                         0
<ALLOWANCES>                                                          0
<INVENTORY>                                                      19,729
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                              1,795,014<F1>
<PP&E>                                                        1,049,593
<DEPRECIATION>                                                  312,779
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                3,304,953
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                           317,379
<BONDS>                                                               0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                 0
<PREFERRED>                                                           0
<COMMON>                                                          2,964
<OTHER-SE>                                                            0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                  3,304,953
<SALES>                                                               0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                                102,992
<CGS>                                                                 0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                         0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                              3,190,003
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                      0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                            1,470,699
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                             (4,557,710)
<INCOME-TAX>                                                (4,557,710)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                         (4,557,710)
<DISCONTINUED>                                                        0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                       0
<CHANGES>                                                             0
<NET-INCOME>                                                (4,557,710)
<EPS-BASIC>                                                         0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                         0

<FN>
<F1> PP&E VALUES REPRESENT NET AMOUNTS
</FN>