<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
 
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM CENTOCOR, 
INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AND CENTOCOR, INC. AND 
SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS 
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996             DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996             JAN-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996             DEC-31-1995
<CASH>                                          55,953                  16,002
<SECURITIES>                                   120,362                 115,435
<RECEIVABLES>                                   29,587                  13,137
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0                       0
<INVENTORY>                                     23,815                  20,783
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               234,748                 168,969
<PP&E>                                         141,491                 142,864
<DEPRECIATION>                                  79,954                  74,727
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 341,121                 260,284
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           45,480                  56,137
<BONDS>                                         54,765                 231,640
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                           692                     585
<OTHER-SE>                                     235,218                 (29,981)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   341,121                 260,284
<SALES>                                        132,130                  65,001
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               135,485                  78,916
<CGS>                                           61,094                  29,166
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   61,094                  29,166
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                89,721                  97,053
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               8,351                  17,001
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (13,468)                (57,132)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0                       0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (13,468)                (57,132)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                    705                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (12,763)                (57,132) 
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     (.19)                   (.98)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     (.19)                   (.98)
        

</TABLE>