<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