<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This Schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the Watson
Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2000 and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to such report.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-2000
<CASH>                                         103,334
<SECURITIES>                                    23,504
<RECEIVABLES>                                   87,282
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,500
<INVENTORY>                                    257,552
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               712,970
<PP&E>                                         277,764
<DEPRECIATION>                                  93,619
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,691,657
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          217,350
<BONDS>                                        499,213
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           339
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,618,148
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,691,657
<SALES>                                        552,953
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               552,953
<CGS>                                          229,245
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  229,245
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                             (336,034)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              15,898
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                363,110
<INCOME-TAX>                                   177,098
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            186,012
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                (1,216)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   184,796
<EPS-BASIC>                                       1.90
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.86