<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF QUIDEL'S FORM 10-Q FOR THE PERIOD
ENDED JUNE 30, 1999, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             APR-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1999
<CASH>                                           8,135
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    6,192
<ALLOWANCES>                                       610
<INVENTORY>                                      5,838
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                20,171
<PP&E>                                          30,796
<DEPRECIATION>                                  11,943
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  51,388
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            3,415
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            24
<OTHER-SE>                                      45,167
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    51,388
<SALES>                                         10,600
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                11,572
<CGS>                                            5,435
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   10,731
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 130
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    808
<INCOME-TAX>                                       323
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                485
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       485
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.02
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.02