<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE WATSON
PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. FORM 10-Q FOR THE PERIOD ENDED JUNE 30, 2000 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH REPORT.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END> JUN-30-2000
<CASH> 353,704
<SECURITIES> 23,735
<RECEIVABLES> 135,872
<ALLOWANCES> 1,500
<INVENTORY> 149,731
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 704,925
<PP&E> 237,332
<DEPRECIATION> 89,981
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,750,221
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 114,890
<BONDS> 149,161
0
0
<COMMON> 320
<OTHER-SE> 1,356,275
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 1,750,221
<SALES> 369,559
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 369,559
<CGS> 130,639
<TOTAL-COSTS> 130,639
<OTHER-EXPENSES> (248,045)
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 5,309
<INCOME-PRETAX> 382,447
<INCOME-TAX> 142,726
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 239,721
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 239,721
<EPS-BASIC> 2.48
<EPS-DILUTED> 2.44
</TABLE>