<TABLE> <S> <C>



       

<ARTICLE>5
<LEGEND>  THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED 
          FROM THE AMERICAN HOME PRODUCTS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES 
          CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND 
          CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR THE TWELVE MONTHS ENDED 
          DECEMBER 31, 1997, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE
          TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
          
                               
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                                    <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                       12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                     DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                          DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                                  1,051,372
<SECURITIES>                                               48,363
<RECEIVABLES>                                           3,040,254
<ALLOWANCES>                                              197,155
<INVENTORY>                                             2,412,406
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                        7,361,326
<PP&E>                                                  6,722,049
<DEPRECIATION>                                          2,425,143
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                         20,825,111
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                   4,327,018
<BONDS>                                                 5,031,861
<COMMON>                                                  216,792
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                           0
<PREFERRED>                                                    72
<OTHER-SE>                                              7,958,388
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                           20,825,111
<SALES>                                                14,196,026
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                       14,196,026
<CGS>                                                   4,101,309
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                           4,101,309
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                        1,558,035
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                        370,696
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                         2,814,707
<INCOME-TAX>                                              771,584
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                     2,043,123
<DISCONTINUED>                                                  0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                 0
<CHANGES>                                                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                            2,043,123
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                3.16<F1>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                3.11<F2>

<FN>
<F1> This amount represents Basic Earnings per Share in accordance
     with the requirements of Statement of Financial Accounting
     Standards No. 128 - "Earnings per Share".

<F2> This amount represents Diluted Earnings per Share in accordance
     with the requirements of Statement of Financial Accounting
     Standards No. 128 - "Earnings per Share".
</FN>     
    

        

</TABLE>