WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.

  



<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE COMBINED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF GENZYME CORPORATION'S GENERAL DIVISION FOR THE YEAR
ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1995
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                         103,631
<SECURITIES>                                   105,471
<RECEIVABLES>                                   94,954
<ALLOWANCES>                                     7,833
<INVENTORY>                                     52,281
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               370,612
<PP&E>                                         391,287
<DEPRECIATION>                                  63,826
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 854,586
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           62,576
<BONDS>                                        126,749
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           312
<OTHER-SE>                                     658,969
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   854,586
<SALES>                                        351,603
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               378,563
<CGS>                                          145,101
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  317,539
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   112
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 1,842
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,609
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 65,329
<INCOME-TAX>                                    21,649
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             43,680
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    43,680
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.45
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.31