<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<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, 2000, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END> JUN-30-2000
<CASH> 5,917
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 14,157
<ALLOWANCES> 1,435
<INVENTORY> 8,673
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 28,892
<PP&E> 40,447
<DEPRECIATION> 19,289
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 69,859
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 10,934
<BONDS> 0
0
0
<COMMON> 25
<OTHER-SE> 47,600
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 69,859
<SALES> 39,032
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 39,703
<CGS> 19,022
<TOTAL-COSTS> 36,656
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 621
<INCOME-PRETAX> 2,068
<INCOME-TAX> 827
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 1,241
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 1,241
<EPS-BASIC> .05
<EPS-DILUTED> .05
</TABLE>