<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
     This schedule contains summary financial information  extracted  from  ICN
Pharmaceuticals, Inc.'s December 31, 1998 consolidated financial statements and
is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                         1,000
       
                                         
<PERIOD-TYPE>                            12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                    Dec-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                       Jan-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                         Dec-31-1998
<CASH>                                   104,921
<SECURITIES>                                   0
<RECEIVABLES>                            228,749
<ALLOWANCES>                             (48,748)
<INVENTORY>                              126,545
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                         440,748
<PP&E>                                   385,211
<DEPRECIATION>                           (57,455)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                         1,356,396
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                    203,754
<BONDS>                                        0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                          0
<PREFERRED>                                    1
<COMMON>                                     764
<OTHER-SE>                               585,399
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>           1,356,396
<SALES>                                  800,639
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                         838,064
<CGS>                                    353,600
<TOTAL-COSTS>                            353,600
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                          20,835
<LOSS-PROVISION>                         440,820
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                        38,069
<INCOME-PRETAX>                         (395,081)
<INCOME-TAX>                               1,983
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                     (352,074)
<DISCONTINUED>                                 0 
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                0 
<CHANGES>                                      0 
<NET-INCOME>                            (352,074)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                              (4.78)
<EPS-DILUTED>                              (4.78)