<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE BALANCE
SHEETS AND STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS OF ANERGEN, INC. AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH ANNUAL REPORT FILED ON FORM 10-K FOR THE FISCAL
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997             DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997             MAR-31-1996
<CASH>                                           3,103                     310
<SECURITIES>                                    11,050                   9,343
<RECEIVABLES>                                    1,315                     783
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0                       0
<INVENTORY>                                          0                       0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                15,653                  10,539
<PP&E>                                           6,306                   5,572
<DEPRECIATION>                                 (4,713)                 (3,686)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  17,282                  12,461
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            2,616                   1,635
<BONDS>                                            472                     636
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                        57,514                  47,400
<OTHER-SE>                                    (43,320)                (37,210)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    17,282                  12,461
<SALES>                                              0                       0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 1,990                     922
<CGS>                                                0                       0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    3,771                   2,398
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0                       0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  43                      55
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (1,824)                 (1,531)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0                       0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (1,824)                 (1,531)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (1,824)                 (1,531)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (0.10)                  (0.10)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0                       0
        

</TABLE>