<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM
SCHERING-PLOUGH CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS,
AND RELATED EXHIBITS FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                          437200
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   571200
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     574100
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               2256500
<PP&E>                                         3284900
<DEPRECIATION>                                 1105200
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 5196300
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          2295800
<BONDS>                                          42000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        507400
<OTHER-SE>                                     1733000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   5196300
<SALES>                                        4241500
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               4241500
<CGS>                                           807400
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   807400
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                522800
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                1239000
<INCOME-TAX>                                    303600
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             935400
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    935400
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.54
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.51