EATONTOWN, N.J., April 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Roberts Pharmaceutical
Corporation (Nasdaq: RPCX) today reported first-quarter 1997 results with
significant year-to-year improvements recorded in revenues, gross profits, and
net earnings.
    For the first-quarter ended March 31, 1997, revenues advanced 53% to $26.3
million from $17.2 million reported for the comparable 1996 period.   First-
quarter 1997 revenues do not include certain divested non-strategic product
sales which were included in the 1996 figures.  The year-to-year revenue
improvement reflects, in part, initial sales of PROAMATINE(R) -- the Company's
first proprietary pipeline drug -- which was cleared for marketing by the FDA
in late 1996.  Also, first-quarter 1997 revenues included sales of AGRYLIN(TM)
-- the Company's second and higher margin pipeline drug -- which was approved
by the FDA and introduced just prior to the quarter's end.
    For the first-quarter 1997, Roberts reported a gross profit of $14.7
million, up 73% from a gross profit of $8.5 million a year ago.
Correspondingly, the gross profit margin expanded to 55.7% from 49.2% of
sales, primarily reflecting product mix and the introduction of AGRYLIN.  Net
income for the three months ended March 31, 1997 was $1.6 million, a positive
swing of $5.8 million from a loss of $4.2 million a year ago.  Earnings per
share for the first-quarter 1997 amounted to $0.04 compared to a loss of $0.22
in the comparable period of 1996.  On March 31, 1997, the Company's position
of cash and marketable securities amounted to $94.1 million with long-term
debt at $12.6 million.
    Roberts Pharmaceutical Corporation, with operating subsidiaries in the
United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, focuses on new health care
solutions through the acquisition and development of specialty
pharmaceuticals.  The Company's first proprietary product, PROAMATINE, was
recently launched in the U.S. as the first drug for treating orthostatic
hypotension.   AGRYLIN, Roberts second pipeline product, has since been
launched as the first FDA approved drug for treating essential
thrombocythemia.
    Recent press releases and a letter from the Chairman of the Board of
Roberts Pharmaceutical Corporation are available through PR Newswire's Company
News On-Call fax service at 1-800-758-5804, extension 760975 and on the
internet at http://www.prnewswire.com
    This release may contain forward-looking statements which reflect
management's current views of future events and operations.  These forward-
looking statements are based on assumptions and external factors, including
assumptions relating to regulatory action and competing products.  Any changes
in such assumptions or external factors could produce significantly different
results.

                        Unaudited Financial Highlights
                     (in millions, except per share data)

                            Income statement items
                     for the three months ended March 31

                                            1997            1996

       Total Revenues                     $ 26.3           $17.2
       Gross profit                         14.7              8.5
       Operating expenses                   13.3             14.0
       Operating income (loss)               1.4             (5.5)
       Income (loss) before taxes            2.3             (5.8)

       (Provision) benefit for taxes        ( .7)             1.6
       Net income (loss)                  $  1.6           $ (4.2)
      Per share net income (loss)        $  0.04         $  (0.22)
       Weighted average number of
       common shares and equivalents  30,681,000       18,722,259

                             Balance sheet items
                             as of March 31, 1997

       Cash and marketable securities     $ 94.1
       Long-term debt                       12.6
       Total shareholders' equity          310.8

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