<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from Schering-Plough Corporation and subsidiaries consolidated Financial Statements, and related Exhibits for the three months ended March 31, 1997 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1997 <PERIOD-END> MAR-31-1997 <CASH> 757100 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 755700 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 575900 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 2812100 <PP&E> 3374800 <DEPRECIATION> 1125600 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 5856300 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 2799400 <BONDS> 46000 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 507400 <OTHER-SE> 1789100 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 5856300 <SALES> 1568100 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 1568100 <CGS> 289300 <TOTAL-COSTS> 289300 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 179200 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0 <INCOME-PRETAX> 497100 <INCOME-TAX> 121800 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 375300 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 375300 <EPS-PRIMARY> 1.03 <EPS-DILUTED> 1.02