<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM MAXYGEN,
INC.'S QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2000 AND
IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-2000
<CASH>                                         183,131
<SECURITIES>                                    59,585
<RECEIVABLES>                                    8,230
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               252,042
<PP&E>                                          10,034
<DEPRECIATION>                                   2,390
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 321,015
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           14,148
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             3
<OTHER-SE>                                     302,343
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   321,015
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                17,531
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                75,068
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 166
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (46,731)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (46,731)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (46,731)
<EPS-BASIC>                                      (1.57)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (1.57)