<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND BALANCE SHEETS OF VICAL INCORPORATED AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                           6,704
<SECURITIES>                                    35,588
<RECEIVABLES>                                    1,350
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                43,642
<PP&E>                                           6,681
<DEPRECIATION>                                   4,251
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  47,392
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            1,879
<BONDS>                                          1,259
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           155
<OTHER-SE>                                      44,099
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    47,392
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 5,473
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    8,911
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 150
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (4,494)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (4,494)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (4,494)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.29)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.29)