<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM IVAX
CORPORATION'S FORM 10-K FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN
ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                         199,235
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  124,220
<ALLOWANCES>                                    19,226
<INVENTORY>                                    145,716
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               510,704
<PP&E>                                         336,187
<DEPRECIATION>                                 142,446
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 790,736
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          233,966
<BONDS>                                         94,193
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        12,152
<OTHER-SE>                                     422,887
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   790,736
<SALES>                                        602,110
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               602,110
<CGS>                                          487,806
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  487,806
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 8,973
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              14,685
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              (155,282)
<INCOME-TAX>                                    60,166
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          (219,534)
<DISCONTINUED>                                 (8,701)
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                (2,137)
<CHANGES>                                      (2,882)
<NET-INCOME>                                 (233,254)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (1.92)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0<F1>
<FN>
<F1>AMOUNT IS ANTI-DILUTIVE.
</FN>