<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