JOHNSON & JOHNSON
10-Q, 1998-11-10
PHARMACEUTICAL PREPARATIONS
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        UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                    WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549
                           FORM 10-Q

       X  QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
             OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

       For the quarterly period ended September 27, 1998

                               OR

          TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
             OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


For the transition period from               to

- -----------------------------------------------------------------

                 Commission file number 1-3215


                         JOHNSON & JOHNSON
     (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


                   NEW    JERSEY                       22-1024240
(State or other jurisdiction of        (I.R.S. Employer
      incorporation or organization)         Identification No.)


                New Brunswick, New Jersey  08933
  (Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

                         732-524-0400
      Registrant's telephone number, including area code


      Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed
all  reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d)  of  the
Securities  Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding  12  months
(or  for such shorter period that the registrant was required  to
file  such  reports),  and (2) has been subject  to  such  filing
requirements for the past 90 days.

                  Yes    X            No

      Indicate  the number of shares outstanding of each  of  the
issuer's  classes  of common stock, as of the latest  practicable
date.

      On  October 23, 1998, 1,344,669,448 shares of Common Stock,
$1.00 par value, were outstanding.



                             - 1 -


               JOHNSON & JOHNSON AND SUBSIDIARIES


                       TABLE OF CONTENTS



Part I - Financial Information                          Page No.


    Consolidated Balance Sheet -
      September 27, 1998 and December 28, 1997        3


    Consolidated Statement of Earnings for the
      Fiscal Quarter Ended September 27, 1998 and
      September 28, 1997                              5


    Consolidated Statement of  Earnings for the
      Fiscal Nine Months Ended September 27, 1998 and
      September 28, 1997                              6


    Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the
      Fiscal Nine Months Ended September 27, 1998 and
      September 28, 1997                              7


    Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements        8


    Management's Discussion and Analysis of
      Financial Condition and Results of
      Operations                                     14


    Signatures                                       24




Part II - Other Information


    Items 1 through 4 are not applicable

    Item 5 - Other Information                       23

    Item 6 - Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K        23




                             - 2 -

Part I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1 - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


               JOHNSON & JOHNSON AND SUBSIDIARIES

                   CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

                (Unaudited; Dollars in Millions)

                             ASSETS


                                     September 27,   December 28,
                                         1998            1997
Current Assets:

 Cash and cash equivalents        $  3,742        2,753

 Marketable securities, at cost         84          146

 Accounts receivable, trade, less
  allowances $353 (1997 - $358)      3,724        3,329

 Inventories (Note 4)                2,897        2,516

 Deferred taxes on income              852          831

 Prepaid expenses and other
  receivables                          877          988


      Total current assets          12,176       10,563

Marketable securities, non-current     382          385

Property, plant and equipment, at cost10,068      9,444

  Less accumulated depreciation and
    amortization                     4,093        3,634

                                     5,975        5,810

Intangible assets, net (Note 5)      3,297        3,261

Deferred taxes on income               411          332

Other assets                         1,092        1,102


      Total assets                $ 23,333       21,453

         See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

                             - 3 -
               JOHNSON & JOHNSON AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
                (Unaudited; Dollars in Millions)

              LIABILITIES AND SHAREOWNERS' EQUITY

                                              September       27,
December 28,
Current         Liabilities:                                 1998
1997

 Loans and notes payable             $   575           714

 Accounts payable                      1,487         1,753

 Accrued liabilities                   2,427         2,258

 Accrued salaries, wages and commissions 574           332

 Taxes on income                         337           226

  Total current liabilities            5,400         5,283

Long-term debt                         1,117         1,126

Deferred tax liability                   260           175

Certificates of extra compensation       145           126

Other liabilities                      2,473         2,384

Shareowners' Equity:
 Preferred stock - without par value
  (authorized and unissued 2,000,000
  shares)                                  -             -

 Common stock - par value $1.00 per share
  (authorized 2,160,000,000 shares;
  issued 1,534,824,000 shares)         1,535         1,535

 Note receivable from employee stock
  ownership plan                         (45)          (51)

 Accumulated other comprehensive
  Income (Note 2)                       (397)         (378)

 Retained earnings                    14,278        12,661

                                      15,371        13,767
  Less common stock held in treasury,
   at cost (189,892,000 & 189,687,000
   shares)                             1,433         1,408

  Total shareowners' equity           13,938        12,359

  Total liabilities and shareowners'
   equity                            $23,333        21,453

          See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
                                
                             - 4 -


               JOHNSON & JOHNSON AND SUBSIDIARIES

               CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF EARNINGS

            (Unaudited; dollars & shares in millions

                   except per share figures)



                                     Fiscal Quarter Ended
                            Sept. 27, Percent   Sept. 28, Percent
                               1998     to  Sales     1997     to
Sales



Sales to customers (Note 6)$5,724 100.0    5,586     100.0

Cost of products sold     1,758    30.7    1,750      31.3

Selling, marketing and
  administrative expenses 2,151    37.6    2,149      38.5

Research expense            511     8.9      516       9.2

Interest income            (67)    (1.2)     (58)     (1.0)

Interest expense, net of
  portion capitalized        26      .5       36        .6

Other (income)expense, net   28      .5       (4)        -

                          4,407    77.0    4,389      78.6

Earnings before provision
  for taxes on income     1,317    23.0    1,197      21.4

Provision for taxes on
  income (Note 3)           356     6.2      342       6.1


NET EARNINGS             $  961    16.8      855      15.3


NET EARNINGS PER SHARE (Notes 1 and 8)
 Basic                   $  .71              .64
 Diluted                 $  .70              .63

CASH DIVIDENDS PER SHARE $  .25              .22

AVG. SHARES OUTSTANDING
 Basic                  1,344.9          1,335.1
 Diluted                1,373.0          1,363.9


         See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

                             - 5 -


               JOHNSON & JOHNSON AND SUBSIDIARIES

               CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF EARNINGS

            (Unaudited; dollars & shares in millions

                   except per share figures)



                                  Fiscal Nine Months Ended
                            Sept. 27, Percent   Sept. 28, Percent
                               1998     to  Sales     1997     to
Sales



Sales to customers (Note 6)$17,290 100.0  16,999     100.0

Cost of products sold     5,338     30.9   5,271      31.0

Selling, marketing and
 administrative expenses  6,365     36.8   6,429      37.8

Research expense          1,537      8.9   1,514       8.9

Interest income            (192)    (1.1)   (151)      (.8)

Interest expense, net of
 portion capitalized         80       .5     104        .6

Other (income)expense, net    40      .2      39        .2

                         13,168     76.2  13,206      77.7

Earnings before provision
 for taxes on income      4,122     23.8   3,793      22.3

Provision for taxes on
 income (Note 3)          1,146      6.6   1,120       6.6


NET EARNINGS            $ 2,976     17.2   2,673      15.7


NET EARNINGS PER SHARE (Notes 1 and 8)
 Basic                  $  2.21             2.00
 Diluted                $  2.17             1.96

CASH DIVIDENDS PER SHARE$   .72              .63

AVG. SHARES OUTSTANDING
 Basic                  1,345.0          1,333.7
 Diluted                1,371.4          1,363.8


         See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

                             - 6 -


               JOHNSON & JOHNSON AND SUBSIDIARIES
              CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
                (Unaudited; Dollars in Millions)

                                             Fiscal  Nine  Months
Ended
                                             Sept. 27,      Sept.
28
                                               1998          1997
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
 Net earnings                           $2,976        2,673
 Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to
  cash flows:
   Depreciation and amortization of
     property and intangibles              906          868
   Increase in accounts receivable, trade,
     less allowances                      (345)        (555)
   Increase in inventories                (358)        (272)
   Changes in other assets and liabilities   350        536

   NET CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES 3,529     3,250

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
 Additions to property, plant and equipment(848)       (761)
 Proceeds from the disposal of assets       20           46
 Acquisition of businesses, net of cash
  acquired                                 (78)        (158)
 Other, principally intangible assets      (96)         (89)

 NET CASH USED BY INVESTING ACTIVITIES  (1,002)        (962)

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
 Dividends to shareowners                 (969)        (841)
 Repurchase of common stock               (653)        (429)
 Proceeds from short-term debt             174          240
 Retirement of short-term debt            (193)        (185)
 Proceeds from long-term debt                -            6
 Retirement of long-term debt             (142)        (190)
 Proceeds from the exercise of stock options   223      156

 NET CASH USED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES  (1,560)      (1,243)

EFFECTS OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH
 AND CASH EQUIVALENTS                      22           (62)

INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS      989         983

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING
 OF PERIOD                               2,753        2,011

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD$  3,742      2,994


         See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


                             - 7 -
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE  1  -  The  accompanying interim  financial  statements  and

related notes should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated

Financial  Statements of Johnson & Johnson and Subsidiaries  (the

"Company") and related notes as contained in the Annual Report on

Form  10-K  for  the  fiscal year ended December  28,  1997.  The

interim  financial statements include all adjustments (consisting

only  of normal recurring adjustments) and accruals necessary  in

the  judgment  of  management for a  fair  presentation  of  such

statements.

   At  year-end 1997, the Company adopted Statement of  Financial

Accounting Standards No. 128 that requires the reporting of  both

basic  and diluted earnings per share.  Basic earnings per  share

is   computed  by  dividing  net  income  available   to   common

shareowners  by  the  weighted average number  of  common  shares

outstanding for the period.  Diluted earnings per share  reflects

the  potential dilution that could occur if securities  or  other

contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted  into

common  stock.  Prior periods have been restated to  reflect  the

new standard.

NOTE 2 - ADOPTION OF SFAS NO. 130

At  March  29,  1998, the Company adopted Statement of  Financial

Accounting  Standards  No. 130 "Reporting  Comprehensive  Income"

("SFAS  130").  SFAS 130 establishes standards for reporting  and

display  of  an alternative income measurement and its components

(revenue,  expenses, gains and losses) in a full set  of  general

purpose financial statements.  The total comprehensive income for

the  nine  months  ended September 27, 1998  is  $2,957  million,

compared  with  $2,405 million for the same period  a  year  ago.

Total  comprehensive income includes net earnings, net unrealized

currency gains and losses on translation and net unrealized gains

and losses on securities.

                              - 8 -
NOTE 3 - INCOME TAXES
The effective income tax rates for 1998 and 1997 are as follows:
                                    1998            1997
    First Quarter                   29.6%           30.2%
    First Half                      28.2            30.0
    Nine Months                     27.8            29.5

The  effective income tax rates for the first nine months of 1998

and  1997 are 27.8% and 29.5%, respectively, as compared  to  the

U.S.  federal  statutory rate of 35%.  The  difference  from  the

statutory  rate is the result of domestic subsidiaries  operating

in  Puerto Rico under a grant for tax relief expiring on December

31, 2007 and the result of  subsidiaries manufacturing in Ireland

under  an incentive tax rate expiring on December 31, 2010.   The

decrease  in the 1998 worldwide effective tax rate was  primarily

due  to a greater proportion of taxable income derived from lower

tax rate countries


NOTE 4 - INVENTORIES

(Dollars in Millions)             Sept. 27, 1998  Dec. 28, 1997

Raw materials and supplies         $   890           655
Goods in process                       440           417
Finished goods                       1,567         1,444
                                   $ 2,897         2,516

NOTE 5 - INTANGIBLE ASSETS

(Dollars in Millions)            Sept. 27, 1998   Dec. 28, 1997

Intangible assets                  $ 4,085         3,885
Less accumulated amortization          788           624
                                   $ 3,297         3,261


The  excess  of  the cost over the fair value of  net  assets  of

purchased businesses is recorded as goodwill and is amortized  on

a straight-line basis over periods of 40 years or less.

The  cost  of  other  acquired  intangibles  is  amortized  on  a

straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives.



                              - 9 -
NOTE 6 - SALES TO CUSTOMERS BY SEGMENT OF BUSINESS AND GEOGRAPHIC
AREAS

(Dollars in Millions)

SALES BY SEGMENT OF BUSINESS

                      Third Quarter                Nine Months
                               Percent                    Percent
                               Increase/                  Increase/
                  1998   1997  (Decrease)    1998   1997  (Decrease)
Consumer
  Domestic     $  806    801       .6      2,398   2,400     (.1)
  International   781    783      (.3)     2,398   2,481    (3.3)
                  1,587    1,584        .2%       4,796     4,881
(1.7)%

Pharmaceutical
  Domestic      1,153    993     16.1      3,500   2,888    21.2
  International   945    925      2.2      2,852   2,907    (1.9)
                2,098  1,918      9.4%     6,352   5,795     9.6%

Professional
  Domestic      1,117  1,168     (4.4)     3,275   3,502    (6.5)
  International   922    916       .7      2,867   2,821     1.6
                  2,039    2,084      (2.2)%      6,142     6,323
(2.9)%

Domestic        3,076  2,962      3.8      9,173   8,790     4.4
International   2,648  2,624       .9      8,117   8,209    (1.1)
  Worldwide    $5,724  5,586      2.5%    17,290  16,999     1.7%


SALES BY GEOGRAPHIC AREAS

                      Third Quarter           Nine Months
                              Percent                  Percent
                              Increase/                Increase/
                 1998  1997   (Decrease)  1998   1997  (Decrease)

Domestic       $3,076 2,962     3.8      9,173  8,790    4.4
Europe          1,482 1,373     7.9      4,607  4,478    2.9
Western Hemisphere
  excluding U.S.  520   512     1.6      1,560  1,518    2.8
Asia-Pacific,
  Africa          646   739   (12.6)     1,950  2,213  (11.9)

  Worldwide    $5,724 5,586     2.5%    17,290 16,999    1.7%


NOTE 7 - ACQUISITIONS

  During the first quarter, the Company completed the acquisition

of IsoStent, Inc.  The Company acquired intellectual property and

specific   assets,  including  the  BX  Stent,  a  new   flexible

interventional  medical device in development  for  treatment  of

coronary  artery disease.  Pro forma results of the  acquisition,

assuming that the transaction was consummated at the beginning of

each  year presented, would not be materially different from  the

results reported.

                             - 10 -
NOTE 8 - EARNINGS PER SHARE

   The  following is a reconciliation of basic net  earnings  per
share to diluted net earnings per share for the nine months ended
September 27, 1998 and September 28, 1997:
                                    Fiscal           Fiscal
                                  Quarter  Ended             Nine
Months Ended
                              Sept. 27,         Sept. 28,   Sept.
27,                           Sept. 28,
                                      1998                   1997
1998                            1997

Basic net earnings per share$    .71     .64      2.21     2.00
Average shares outstanding
  - basic                   1,344.9  1,335.1   1,345.0  1,333.7
Potential shares exercisable
  under stock option plans     68.3     70.3      68.0     71.5

Less: shares which could be
  repurchased under treasury
  stock method                (40.2)   (41.5)    (41.6)   (41.4)
Adjusted averages shares
  outstanding - diluted     1,373.0  1,363.9   1,371.4  1,363.8
Diluted earnings per share $    .70      .63      2.17     1.96

NOTE 9 - PENDING LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

    The   Company,   along  with  numerous  other  pharmaceutical
manufacturers and distributors, is a defendant in a large  number
of  individual and class actions brought by retail pharmacies  in
state  and federal courts under the antitrust laws.  These  cases
assert price discrimination and price-fixing violations resulting
from   an   alleged  industry-wide  agreement  to   deny   retail
pharmacists  price discounts on sales of brand name  prescription
drugs.   The  Company believes the claims against the Company  in
these actions are without merit and is defending them vigorously.
   In September 1998, trial of the liability phase of the federal
class action brought on behalf of retail pharmacists against  the
Company,  three  other  pharmaceutical  manufacturers   and   six
wholesalers,  began  before a jury  in  Chicago.   In  the  event
liability is established, the damages phase will begin before the
same  jury.  Twenty other pharmaceutical manufacturers  named  in
the  complaint  previously settled.  It is anticipated  that  the
trial  will last several months.  While the Company is  confident
of  the  legality of its conduct, it is not possible  to  predict
with  certainty the outcome of the jury trial or the  size  of  a
damage award, if any.

                             - 11 -
   Further,  the  Company  together  with  another  contact  lens

manufacturer,   a   trade  association  and  various   individual

defendants, is a defendant in several consumer class actions  and

an  action brought by multiple State Attorneys General on  behalf

of  consumers alleging violations of federal and state  antitrust

laws.  These cases assert that enforcement of the Company's long-

standing  policy of selling contact lenses only to  licensed  eye

care  professionals  is  a result of an  unlawful  conspiracy  to

eliminate  alternative distribution channels from the  disposable

contact lens market.  The Company believes that these actions are

without merit and is defending them vigorously.

    In  August  1998,  the  Company's  Ortho  Biotech  subsidiary

commenced  an  arbitration hearing  under its  license  agreement

with  Amgen,  Inc.  and  Kirin-Amgen, Inc.  concerning  marketing

rights  to what Amgen refers to as Novel Erythropoeis Stimulating

Protein  or  NESP.  NESP is an analogue of the recombinant  human

erythropoietin  currently marketed by  Ortho  as  Procrit  (Eprex

outside  the U.S.) and by Amgen as Epogen.  Amgen has  taken  the

position in the arbitration that Ortho has no rights to NESP  and

that Amgen is free to sell it into U.S. and international markets

reserved  exclusively to Ortho under Ortho's  license  agreements

with  Amgen  and Kirin-Amgen.  Ortho disputes Amgen's contentions

and  takes  the  position that NESP is covered  by  its  existing

license   agreements  pursuant  to  which  Ortho  has   exclusive

marketing rights to all non-dialysis indications in the U.S.  and

all  indications outside the U.S. except in China and  Japan.   A

decision by the panel of arbitrators is expected early next year.

While  Ortho believes its position correctly reflects the  intent

of the parties to the license, it is not possible to predict with

certainty  the  outcome  of the arbitration,  or  the  impact  on

Ortho's business if the outcome is adverse to its position.

   The  Company  believes  that  the  above  proceedings  in  the

aggregate would not have a material adverse effect on its results

of operations, cash flows or financial position.

                             - 12 -
NOTE 10 - SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

   On  July 21, 1998, Johnson & Johnson and DePuy, Inc. announced

the  signing  of  a definitive agreement under  which  Johnson  &

Johnson  would  acquire  DePuy  for  $35.00  per  share,  for  an

aggregate transaction value of $3.5 billion.

   Pursuant  to  the agreement, Johnson & Johnson  began  a  cash

tender  offer for all outstanding shares of DePuy for $35.00  per

share.   DePuy  has approximately 99,000,000 shares  outstanding.

The  offer commenced on July 27, 1998 and expired on October  29,

1998.  Approximately 98.6 million DePuy shares, representing 99.7

percent  of the outstanding DePuy shares were tendered  and  paid

for.   On  November 4, 1998 the remaining shares  of  DePuy  were

acquired by merger.  The Company anticipates that there will be a

one-time   charge  against  earnings  for  in-process   R&D   and

restructuring expenses, as a result of the acquisition.

   DePuy  is  one  of  the  world's leading orthopaedic  products

companies.   The  company's  products  are  used  by  orthopaedic

surgeons  and  medical  specialists  to  reconstruct  damaged  or

diseased  joints, to facilitate fusion of elements of  the  spine

and correct spinal deformities, to repair bone fractures, and  to

rehabilitate sports-related injuries.


NOTE 11 - NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENT

   In  June 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB)

issued  Statement  of  Financial Accounting  Standards  No.  133,

"Accounting  for  Derivative Instruments and  Hedging  Activities

(FAS  133).  FAS 133 is effective for all fiscal quarters of  all

fiscal years beginning after June 15, 1999.

  FAS 133 requires that all derivative instruments be recorded on

the  balance sheet at their respective fair values.   Changes  in

the  fair  values  of  derivatives are recorded  each  period  in

current  earnings  or  other comprehensive income,  depending  on

whether a derivative is



                             - 13 -

designated as part of a hedge transaction and, if it is, the type

of  hedge transaction. For fair-value hedge transactions in which

the  Company  is  hedging changes in an asset's, liability's,  or

firm  commitment's fair value, changes in the fair value  of  the

derivative instrument will generally be offset by changes in  the

hedged  item's fair value.  For cash-flow hedge transactions,  in

which  the  Company  is  hedging the variability  of  cash  flows

related  to  a  variable-rate asset, liability, or  a  forecasted

transaction,  changes  in  the  fair  value  of  the   derivative

instrument  will be reported in other comprehensive income.   The

gains  and losses on the derivative instrument that are  reported

in  other comprehensive income will be recognized in earnings  in

the periods in which earnings are impacted by the variability  of

the cash flows of the hedged item.

   The  Company is in the process of evaluating the new  standard

and does not expect it to have a material effect on the Company's

results of operations, cash flow or financial position.

Item 2 - MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
         FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

SALES AND EARNINGS

   Consolidated  sales  for the first nine months  of  1998  were

$17,290 million, which exceeded sales of $16,999 million for  the

first  nine  months of 1997 by 1.7%.  The strength  of  the  U.S.

dollar relative to the foreign currencies decreased sales for the

first  nine months of 1998 by 3.4%. Excluding the effect  of  the

stronger  U.S.  dollar  relative  to  foreign  currencies,  sales

increased 5.1% on an operational basis for the first nine  months

of  1998.  Consolidated net earnings for the first nine months of

1998  were  $2,976 million, compared with net earnings of  $2,673

million  for the first nine months of 1997.  Worldwide basic  net

earnings per share for the first nine months of 1998 were  $2.21,

compared  with $2.00 for the same period in 1997, an increase  of

10.5%.   Worldwide diluted net earnings per share for  the  first

nine  months of 1998 were $2.17, compared with $1.96 for the same

period in 1997, an increase of 10.7%


                             - 14 -

   Consolidated sales for the third quarter of 1998  were  $5,724
million,  an  increase of 2.5% over 1997 third quarter  sales  of
$5,586  million.  The effect of the stronger U.S. dollar relative
to  foreign  currencies decreased third quarter  sales  by  2.3%.
Consolidated net earnings for the third quarter of 1998 were $961
million,  compared with $855 million for the same period  a  year
ago, an increase of 12.4%. Worldwide basic net earnings per share
for  the third quarter of 1998 rose 10.9% to $.71, compared  with
$.64  in  the  1997 period.  Worldwide diluted net  earnings  per
share  for the third quarter of 1998 rose 11.1% to $.70, compared
with $.63 in 1997.
   Domestic  sales for the first nine months of 1998 were  $9,173
million,  an increase of 4.4% over 1997 domestic sales of  $8,790
million  for  the same period a year ago.  Sales by international
subsidiaries  were $8,117 million for the first  nine  months  of
1998 compared with $8,209 million for the same period a year ago,
a  decrease of 1.1%.  Excluding the impact of the stronger  value
of the dollar, international sales increased by 6.0%.
   Worldwide  Consumer segment sales for the third  quarter  were
essentially  unchanged  versus  the  same  period  a  year   ago.
Domestic   sales   increased  by  .6%  in   the   quarter   while
international sales declined by .3%.  International  sales  gains
in  local  currency  of 6.5% were offset by a  negative  currency
impact of 6.8%.  Consumer sales were led by continued strength in
the  skin care franchise, which includes the NEUTROGENA, RoC  and
CLEAN & CLEAR product lines, as well as strong performances  from
the  adult and children's MOTRIN line of analgesic products.   At
the  end  of  the  quarter, the Johnson &  Johnson   Merck  joint
venture introduced a new chewable form of PEPCID AC.
   Worldwide Pharmaceutical sales of $2.1 billion for the quarter
increased  9.4%  versus the same period in 1997, including  16.1%
growth in domestic sales.  International sales increased by 2.2%.
Sales gains in local currency of 6.0% were partially offset by  a
negative currency impact of 3.8%.  Worldwide growth reflects  the
strong  performance  of  RISPERDAL, an antipsychotic  medication;
PROCRIT,  for  the treatment of anemia; DURAGESIC, a  transdermal
patch  for  chronic  pain,  and the oral  contraceptive  line  of
products.   Recently PARIET/ACIPHEX (rabeprazole), a proton  pump
inhibitor  for  duodenal  and  gastric  ulcers,  gastroesophageal
reflux  disease  (GERD)  and GERD maintenance  received  European
Union approval.

                             - 15 -

  Worldwide  sales  of  $2.0 billion in the Professional  segment

declined  by  2.2%  versus the third quarter of  1997.   Domestic

sales  were  down  4.4% in the quarter while international  sales

gains  in  local  currency of 4.8% were  largely  offset  by  the

strength of the U.S. dollar.  Strong sales growth of Ethicon Endo-

Surgery's  laparoscopy and mechanical closure products, Ethicon's

Mitek  suture  anchors  and Gynecare's women's  health  products,

LifeScan's blood glucose monitoring systems and Johsnon & Johnson

Professional's orthopaedic products were offset by a  decline  in

sales of Cordis' coronary stents.



   Average  shares of common stock outstanding in the first  nine

months  of  1998  were  1,345.0 million,  compared  with  1,333.7

million for the same period a year ago.





LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

   Cash  and current marketable securities increased $927 million

during  the  first  nine  months of 1998  to  $3,826  million  at

September  27,  1998.   Total borrowings decreased  $148  million

during the first nine months of 1998 to $1,692 million.  Net cash

(cash  and  current  securities net  of  borrowings)  was  $2,134

million at September 27, 1998 compared with $1,059 million at the

end  of  1997.   Total debt represented 10.8%  of  total  capital

(shareowners'  equity  and  total  borrowings)  at  quarter   end

compared with 13.0% at the end of 1997.

   Additions  to property, plant and equipment were $848  million

for the first nine months of 1998, compared with $761 million for

the same period in 1997.

   On October 19, 1998, the Board of Directors approved a regular

quarterly dividend rate of 25 cents per share payable on December

8, 1998 to shareowners of record as of November 17, 1998.


                             - 16 -
YEAR 2000 COMPUTER SYSTEMS COMPLIANCE

   The  "Year 2000" issue relates to potential problems resulting

from a practice of computer programmers.  For some time, calendar

years  have  frequently been represented in computer programs  by

their last two digits.  Thus, "1998" would be rendered "98".  The

logic  of  the  programs frequently assumes that  the  first  two

digits  of  a year given in this format are "19".  It is  unclear

what would happen with respect to such computer programs upon the

change  in  calendar year from 1999 to 2000.  The  program  might

interpret  "00" as "2000", "1900", an error or some other  input.

In  such  a  case, the computer program might cease to  function,

function improperly, provide an erroneous result or act  in  some

unpredictable manner.

  The Company has had a program in place since the fourth quarter

of  1996  to address Year 2000 issues in critical business  areas

related  to  its products, information management  systems,  non-

information  systems  with  embedded  technology,  suppliers  and

customers.   A  report on the progress of this program  has  been

provided  to  the  Audit  Committee of  the  Company's  Board  of

Directors.  The Company has completed its review of its  critical

automated information systems and is currently in the remediation

phase  with  respect to such critical systems.  It is anticipated

that  this  remediation  will be substantially  complete  by  the

second quarter of 1999.

    The  Company  is  also  in  the  process  of  reviewing   and

remediating,  where necessary, its other automated systems.   The

Company   estimates   that  it  will  complete   assessment   and

remediation of substantially all such other automated systems  by

the end of the second quarter of 1999.

  The Company has a plan for assessment and testing of all of its

products  and has made substantial progress toward completion  of

such   assessment   and  testing.   It  anticipates   substantial

completion  of assessment, testing and remediation, if  required,

for  most products by December 1998 with full completion  by  the

third quarter of 1999.


                             - 17 -
   The Company plans to engage additional outside consultants  to

examine   selected  critical  areas  in  certain  of  its   major

franchises  and  anticipates that this work  will  begin  in  the

fourth quarter of 1998.

  The total costs of addressing the Company's Year 2000 readiness

issues are not expected to be material to the Company's financial

condition  or  results of operations.  Since  initiation  of  its

program  in  1996,  the Company estimates that  it  has  expensed

approximately $120 million in internal and external  costs  on  a

pre-tax  basis  to address its Year 2000 readiness  issues.   The

Company  currently  estimates that the total of  such  costs  for

addressing its internal Year 2000 readiness will not exceed  $250

million  in  the aggregate on a pre-tax basis.  These  costs  are

being  expensed as they are incurred and are being funded through

operating  cash  flows.  No projects material  to  the  financial

condition  or  results  of operations of the  Company  have  been

deferred or delayed as a result of this project.

   The  ability of the Company to implement and effect  its  Year

2000 readiness program and the related costs or the costs of non-

implementation,  cannot be accurately determined  at  this  time.

The  Company's automated systems (both information technology and

non-information   systems)   are  generally   complex   but   are

decentralized.  Although a failure to complete remediation of one

system  may adversely effect other systems, the Company does  not

currently  believe that such effects are likely.  If, however,  a

significant  number of such failures should occur, some  of  such

systems  might  be rendered inoperable and would  require  manual

back-up methods or other alternatives, where available.  In  such

a   case,   the   speed  of  processing  business   transactions,

manufacturing  and  otherwise conducting  business  would  likely

decrease  significantly  and the cost of  such  activities  would

increase, if they could be carried on at all.  That could have  a

material adverse effect on the financial condition and results of

operations of the business.


                             - 18 -
  The Company has highly integrated relationships with certain of

its   suppliers  and  customers.   These  include  among   others

providers  of  energy, telecommunications, and raw materials  and

components,  financial institutions, managed  care  organizations

and large retail establishments.  The Company has been reviewing,

and  continues to review, with its critical suppliers  and  major

customers  the status of their year 2000 readiness.  The  Company

has  in  place  a program of requesting assurances of  Year  2000

readiness  from such suppliers.  However, many critical suppliers

have  either declined to provide the requested assurances or have

limited  the  scope of assurances to which they  are  willing  to

commit.    The  Company  has  established  a  plan  for   ongoing

monitoring of critical suppliers during 1999.

   The Year 2000 readiness of certain major customers is unclear.

The  Company has established a program to contact major customers

to  assess their readiness to deal with Year 2000 issues.   If  a

significant  number  of  such suppliers  and  customers  were  to

experience business disruptions as a result of their lack of Year

2000  readiness,  their problems could have  a  material  adverse

effect on the financial position and results of operations of the

Company.

   In order to address this situation, the Company is formulating

contingency plans intended to deal with the impact on the Company

of  Year  2000 problems that may be experienced by such  critical

suppliers   and  major  customers.   With  respect  to   critical

suppliers,  these  plans  may include,  among  others,  arranging

availability  of  substitute  sources  of  utilities,  increasing

levels  of inventory and identifying alternate sources of  supply

of  raw  materials.   The Company is also alerting  customers  to

their  need  to address these problems, but the Company  has  few

alternatives  available, other than reversion to manual  methods,

for  avoiding  or  mitigating the effects of lack  of  Year  2000

readiness  by  major  customers.  In any event,  even  where  the

Company  has  contingency plans, there can be no  assurance  that

such  plans will address all the problems that may arise, or that

such plans, even if implemented, will be successful.


                             - 19 -
   Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company has  no  reason  to

believe  that  its exposure to the risks of lack of supplier  and

customer Year 2000 readiness is any greater than the exposure  to

such  risk that affects its competitors generally.  Further,  the

Company  believes that its programs for Year 2000 readiness  will

significantly improve its ability to deal with its own Year  2000

readiness  issues and those of suppliers and customers over  what

would have occurred in the absence of such a program.  That  does

not,  however, guarantee that some material adverse effects  will

not occur.

   The descriptions of Year 2000 issues set forth in this section

is  subject  to  the qualifications set forth under  the  heading

"Cautionary  Statement Pursuant to Private Securities  Litigation

Reform   Act   of   1995  -  `Safe  Harbor'  for  Forward-Looking

Statements".


CAUTIONARY  STATEMENT  PURSUANT TO PRIVATE SECURITIES  LITIGATION
REFORM ACT OF 1995 - "SAFE HARBOR" FOR FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS


   The Company may from time to time make certain forward-looking

statements in publicly-released materials, both written and oral.

Forward-looking statements do not relate strictly  to  historical

or current facts and may be identified by their use of words like

"plans," "expects," "will," "anticipates," "estimates" and  other

words  of  similar meaning.  Such statements may  address,  among

other   things,  the  Company's  strategy  for  growth,   product

development, regulatory approvals, market position, expenditures,

financial results and the effect of Year 2000 readiness issues.

  Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations of

future  events.   The Company cannot guarantee that  expectations

expressed  in forward-looking statements will be realized.   Some

important  factors that could cause the Company's actual  results

to  differ  materially from those projected in any such  forward-

looking statements are as follows:


                             - 20 -

   Economic  factors,  including inflation  and  fluctuations  in

interest  rates  and  foreign currency  exchange  rates  and  the

potential  effect of such fluctuations on revenues, expenses  and

resulting margins;

   Competitive factors, including technological advances achieved

and  patents  attained by competitors and generic competition  as

patents on the Company's products expire;

   Domestic  and foreign healthcare reforms resulting in  pricing

pressures, including the continued consolidation among healthcare

providers,  trends  toward  managed  care  and  healthcare   cost

containment  and  government  laws and  regulations  relating  to

pharmaceutical reimbursement and pricing generally;

  Government laws and regulations, affecting domestic and foreign

operations,  including  those relating  to  trade,  monetary  and

fiscal  policies, taxes, price controls, regulatory  approval  of

new products and licensing;

   Difficulties  inherent in product development,  including  the

potential   inability  to  successfully  continue   technological

innovation, complete clinical trials, obtain regulatory approvals

in  the  United  States  and  abroad, gain  and  maintain  market

approval   of   products  and  the  possibility  of  encountering

infringement  claims  by competitors with respect  to  patent  or

other  intellectual property rights which can  prelude  or  delay

commercialization of a product;

  Significant litigation adverse to the Company including product

liability  claims,  patent  infringement  claims,  and  antitrust

claims;

   Product  efficacy  or  safety concerns  resulting  in  product

recalls or declining sales;

  The impact of business combinations, including acquisitions and

divestitures,  and organizational restructuring  consistent  with

evolving business strategies;

  Issuance of new or revised accounting standards by the American

Institute   of   Certified  Public  Accountants,  the   Financial

Accounting  Standards  Board  or  the  Securities  and   Exchange

Commission;

                             - 21 -
  The dates for completion of specified tasks in the Company Year

2000  readiness  program and the assessment of future  costs  are

based  upon,  among  other things, assumptions  of  the  lack  of

complicating factors that could cause delay, the availability  of

adequate   resources,  including  appropriately   skilled   third

parties, and the availability of substitute or alternate products

or services, where required;

  The assessments of the Year 2000 readiness of others and of the

effects  of  lack  of such readiness are highly  uncertain.   The

impact  of a failure of readiness by critical suppliers or  major

customers  or  both  cannot be estimated  with  confidence.   The

effectiveness of contingency plans to mitigate the effects of any

such failures is largely untested.

   The  Company has employed its standard internal procedures  to

assess  the reasonableness of its estimates of costs, timing  and

effectiveness  of  remediation of  Year  2000  readiness  issues.

While  the  Company  believes such an approach  is  adequate,  it

should  be  noted  that  no  external  or  independent  audit  or

verification  of  such  estimates has  been  completed  nor  have

extraordinary   means   been   undertaken   to    verify    their

reasonableness.

   Even  though the Company expects an increased ability to avoid

significant disruptions of its business as a result of  its  Year

2000  readiness program, management cannot provide  an  assurance

that  there will be no material adverse effects to the  financial

condition or results of operations of the Company as a result  of

Year 2000 issues.

   The  Company  may not successfully identify  all  systems  and

products  that present Year 2000 readiness issues.  Even  if  the

Company successfully identifies all such systems and products, it

may not be successful in remedying the problems presented.

  The foregoing list sets forth many, but not all, of the factors

that  could impact upon the Company's ability to achieve  results

described  in  any  forward-looking  statements.   Investors  are

cautioned  not  to place undue reliance on such statements  which

speak  only  as  of  the  date made. The  Company  undertakes  no

obligation to update any forward-looking statements as  a  result

of future events or developments.


                             - 22 -
Part II - Other Information

Item 5.    Other Information

Under  rules  recently  adopted by the  Securities  and  Exchange
Commission,  if a shareowner notifies the Company  after  January
26, 1999 of an intent to present a proposal at the Company's 1999
Annual  Meeting, the Company may have the right to  exercise  its
discretionary voting authority with respect to such proposal,  if
presented at the meeting, without including information regarding
such proposal in its proxy materials.  Shareowner proposals to be
presented  at  the 1999 Annual Meeting must be  received  by  the
Company on or before November 10, 1998 for inclusion in the proxy
statement and proxy card relating to that meeting.

Item 6.    Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

                                                  (a)
           Exhibit Numbers

           (1)  Exhibit 27 - Financial Data Schedule

    (b)    Reports on Form 8-K

              The  Company did not file any reports on  Form  8-K
           during  the  three  month period ended  September  27,
           1998.



































                             - 23 -



                           SIGNATURES



Pursuant  to the requirements of the Securities Exchange  Act  of
1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed  on
its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.





                                   JOHNSON & JOHNSON
                                     (Registrant)






Date:  November 6, 1998       By /s/ R. J. DARRETTA
                                       R. J. DARRETTA
                                (Vice President, Finance)





Date:  November 6, 1998       By /s/ C. E. LOCKETT
                                       C. E. LOCKETT
                                (Corporate Controller)






















                                
                                
                                
                             - 24 -


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