<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from Schering-Plough Corporation and subsidiaries consolidated Financial Statements and related Exhibits for the six months ended June 30, 1996, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1996 <PERIOD-END> JUN-30-1996 <CASH> 497600 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 635900 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 532000 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 2322800 <PP&E> 3219100 <DEPRECIATION> 1080400 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 5157100 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 2443000 <BONDS> 46900 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 507400 <OTHER-SE> 1586400 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 5157100 <SALES> 2859300 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 2859300 <CGS> 549700 <TOTAL-COSTS> 549700 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 340800 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0 <INCOME-PRETAX> 852600 <INCOME-TAX> 208900 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 643700 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 643700 <EPS-PRIMARY> 1.75 <EPS-DILUTED> 1.73