<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains financial data extracted from Schering-Plough
Corporation and subsidiaries consolidated financial statements for the three
months ended March 31, 1999, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to
such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1000000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1999
<CASH>                                            1496
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                     1084
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                        835
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                  4407
<PP&E>                                            4035
<DEPRECIATION>                                    1350
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                    8303
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                             3218
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                          1015
<OTHER-SE>                                        3243
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                      8303
<SALES>                                           2186
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                  2186
<CGS>                                              432
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                      432
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   262
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    713
<INCOME-TAX>                                       174
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                539
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       539
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .37
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .36