<ARTICLE> 5

                                                 EXHIBIT 27

<LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM
         THE AMERICAN HOME PRODUCTS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED
         CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 AND CONSOLIDATED
         CONDENSED STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER  30,
         1997, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
         STATEMENTS.

<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                              
<PERIOD-TYPE>                 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                    SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                            1,089,258
<SECURITIES>                                         53,804
<RECEIVABLES>                                     2,697,693
<ALLOWANCES>                                              0
<INVENTORY>                                       2,492,766
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                  7,465,911
<PP&E>                                            6,666,300
<DEPRECIATION>                                    2,450,679
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   21,174,416
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                             4,765,506
<BONDS>                                           5,747,785
<COMMON>                                            216,401
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                     0
<PREFERRED>                                              73
<OTHER-SE>                                        7,245,198
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     21,174,416
<SALES>                                          10,584,647
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 10,584,647
<CGS>                                             3,061,606
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                     3,061,606
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                  1,130,081
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                          0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  294,758
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                   2,013,905
<INCOME-TAX>                                        542,604
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                               1,471,301
<DISCONTINUED>                                            0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                           0
<CHANGES>                                                 0
<NET-INCOME>                                      1,471,301
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                          2.23
<EPS-DILUTED>                                          2.22