<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM IVAX
CORPORATION'S FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 1999 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1999
<CASH>                                         149,382
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  101,598<F1>
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    130,747
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               403,804
<PP&E>                                         203,250<F2>
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 684,430
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          200,243
<BONDS>                                         76,193
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        11,033
<OTHER-SE>                                     374,734
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   684,430
<SALES>                                        148,428
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               148,428
<CGS>                                           85,838
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   85,838
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   863
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,367
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 14,826
<INCOME-TAX>                                     4,091
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              9,717
<DISCONTINUED>                                     290
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                     33
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    10,040
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .09<F3>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .09
<FN>
<F1>AMOUNT SHOWN IS NET OF ALLOWANCES.
<F2>AMOUNT SHOWN IS NET OF ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION.
<F3>AMOUNT REPRESENTS BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE.
</FN>