<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
     (Replace this text with the legend)
</LEGEND>
<CIK>                         0000040656
<NAME>                        General Semiconductor, Inc.
<MULTIPLIER>                                   1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                   SEP-30-1998
<CASH>                                         4,037
<SECURITIES>                                   0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  55,122
<ALLOWANCES>                                   795
<INVENTORY>                                    36,070
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               117,804
<PP&E>                                         222,358
<DEPRECIATION>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 554,045
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          57,356
<BONDS>                                        0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                          0
<PREFERRED>                                    0
<COMMON>                                       369
<OTHER-SE>                                     108,712
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   554,045
<SALES>                                        302,382
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               302,382
<CGS>                                          211,720
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  254,813
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               84
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             15,213
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                32,272
<INCOME-TAX>                                   10,005
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            22,267
<DISCONTINUED>                                 0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                0
<CHANGES>                                      0
<NET-INCOME>                                   22,267
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                  0.60
<EPS-DILUTED>                                  0.60