<ARTICLE> 5
                                                EXHIBIT 27
                                                
<LEGEND>   THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION
           EXTRACTED FROM THE AMERICAN HOME PRODUCTS CORPORATION
           AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS OF
           DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME
           FOR THE TWELVE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, AND IS
           QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
           FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                     DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                          DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                                  1,322,297
<SECURITIES>                                              221,820
<RECEIVABLES>                                           2,745,835
<ALLOWANCES>                                              204,121
<INVENTORY>                                             2,389,369
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                        7,470,419
<PP&E>                                                  6,254,666
<DEPRECIATION>                                          2,217,933
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                         20,785,343
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                   4,337,635
<BONDS>                                                 6,020,575
<COMMON>                                                  213,328
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                           0
<PREFERRED>                                                    79
<OTHER-SE>                                              6,748,685
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                           20,785,343
<SALES>                                                14,088,326
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                       14,088,326
<CGS>                                                   4,449,783
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                           4,449,783
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                        1,429,056
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                        433,034
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                         2,755,460
<INCOME-TAX>                                              872,057
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                     1,883,403
<DISCONTINUED>                                                  0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                 0
<CHANGES>                                                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                            1,883,403
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                2.91
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                2.91