<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM IVAX CORPORATION'S FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1996 <PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1996 <CASH> 15,088 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 278,246<F1> <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 314,408 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 708,199 <PP&E> 406,740<F2> <DEPRECIATION> 0 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,357,167 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 234,292 <BONDS> 415,923 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 12,147 <OTHER-SE> 659,795 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 1,357,167 <SALES> 222,720 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 222,720 <CGS> 191,713 <TOTAL-COSTS> 191,713 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 23,669 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 6,254 <INCOME-PRETAX> (218,477) <INCOME-TAX> (40,553) <INCOME-CONTINUING> (178,669) <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (178,669) <EPS-PRIMARY> (1.47) <EPS-DILUTED> (1.47) <FN> <F1>AMOUNT SHOWN IS NET OF ALLOWANCES. <F2>AMOUNT SHOWN IS NET OF ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION. </FN>