<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS FOUND ON PAGES F2 AND F3 OF QUIDEL'S FORM
10-K FOR THE YEAR-TO-DATE, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             APR-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1999
<CASH>                                           6,622
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    8,975
<ALLOWANCES>                                       587
<INVENTORY>                                      5,811
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                21,619
<PP&E>                                          29,419
<DEPRECIATION>                                  11,200
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  52,606
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            5,072
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            24
<OTHER-SE>                                      44,682
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    52,606
<SALES>                                         47,163
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                51,496
<CGS>                                           26,106
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   50,304
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 324
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  1,394
<INCOME-TAX>                                   (6,267)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              7,661
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     7,661
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.32
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.32