<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, 1997 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1997 <PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1997 <CASH> 732 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 588 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 750 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 2956 <PP&E> 3628 <DEPRECIATION> 1189 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 6448 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 2937 <BONDS> 64 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 1015 <OTHER-SE> 1688 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 6448 <SALES> 4997 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 4997 <CGS> 945 <TOTAL-COSTS> 945 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 608 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0 <INCOME-PRETAX> 1458 <INCOME-TAX> 357 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 1101 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 1101 <EPS-PRIMARY> 1.50 <EPS-DILUTED> 1.49