<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK>                         0000893160
<NAME>                        Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY>                    US Dollars

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-2000
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                          42,029
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   15,133
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,472
<INVENTORY>                                      6,726
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                69,604
<PP&E>                                          29,733
<DEPRECIATION>                                (11,259)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 107,078
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           12,322
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            15
<OTHER-SE>                                      90,770
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   107,078
<SALES>                                         53,171
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                53,171
<CGS>                                           30,331
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   76,716
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   238
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             (1,150)
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (22,633)
<INCOME-TAX>                                       350
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (22,983)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (22,983)
<EPS-BASIC>                                     (1.58)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (1.58)