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                                                                  EXHIBIT 11.1
                               DIGENE CORPORATION

                  STATEMENT RE: COMPUTATION OF PER SHARE LOSS




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<CAPTION>
                                                    

                                                                 YEAR ENDED JUNE 30,
                                                      --------------------------------------
                                                          1995          1996         1997
                                                      ---------     ----------    ----------
<S>                                                     <C>          <C>          <C>       

EARNINGS PER SHARE:                                              
              
Weighted average shares of common                                              
  stock outstanding................................     368,356      1,545,247    11,393,978
                                                                               
                                                                               
Shares of 1994 Series Preferred Stock                                         
  issued during the twelve month period                                        
  prior to the initial filing of the S-1                                       
  (using the treasury stock method)................     192,607        192,607            --
                                                                               
Shares of Common Stock issued during                                           
  the twelve month period prior to the                                         
  initial filing of the S-1 (using the                                         
  treasury method).................................       5,295          5,295            --
                                                                               
Common equivalent shares from options                                          
  and warrants issued during the twelve                                        
  month period prior to the initial filing                                     
  of the S-1 (using the treasury stock                                         
  method)..........................................     283,666        283,666            --
                                                    -----------    -----------   -----------
                                                                               
Total..............................................     849,924      2,026,815    11,393,978
                                                    -----------    -----------   -----------
                                                                               
Loss for the period................................ $(1,513,910)   $(2,635,013)  $(5,994,456)
                                                    -----------    -----------   -----------
                                                                               
Net loss per share................................. $     (1.78)   $     (1.30)  $     (0.53)
                                                    ===========    ===========   ===========
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