<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from
Schering-Plough Corporation and subsidiaries consolidated Financial Statements
for the nine months ended September 30, 1998, and is qualified in its entirety
by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1000000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1998
<CASH>                                             937
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      680
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                        804
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                  3442
<PP&E>                                            3924
<DEPRECIATION>                                    1343
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                    7216
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                             2696
<BONDS>                                             46
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                          1015
<OTHER-SE>                                        2679
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                      7216
<SALES>                                           6018
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                  6018
<CGS>                                             1197
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                     1197
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   742
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                   1771
<INCOME-TAX>                                       434
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                               1337
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                      1337
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.82
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.80