<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL DATA EXTRACTED FROM SCHERING-PLOUGH
CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND 10-K SCHEDULES FOR THE YEAR
ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1000000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                             714
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      645
<ALLOWANCES>                                        87
<INVENTORY>                                        713
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                  2920
<PP&E>                                            3750
<DEPRECIATION>                                    1224
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                    6507
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                             2891
<BONDS>                                             46
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                          1015
<OTHER-SE>                                        1806
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                      6507
<SALES>                                           6778
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                  6778
<CGS>                                             1308
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                     1308
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   847
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    17
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  40
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                   1913
<INCOME-TAX>                                       469
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                               1444
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                      1444
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.97
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.95