UNITED STATES
                     SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                           Washington, D.C. 20549

                                  FORM 10-Q
              QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
                 OF THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


For the period ended           March 31, 1999

Commission File Number:        0-10666
                               -------

                                  NBTY, Inc.
           ------------------------------------------------------
           (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

           Delaware                                 11-2228617
           --------                                 ----------
(State or other jurisdiction of                 (I.R.S. Employer
 incorporation or organization)                Identification No.)

       90 Orville Drive, Bohemia, NY                  11716
       -----------------------------                  -----
 (Address of Principal Executive Offices)           (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code   (516) 567-9500
                                                     --------------

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 and Exchange 
Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that 
the registration was required to file such reports), and (2) has been 
subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. 

                     YES   [x]                  NO   [ ]


Shares of Common Stock as of March 31, 1999:   71,722,394
                                               ----------


                         NBTY, INC. and SUBSIDIARIES

                                   INDEX

PART I   Financial Information 

         Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets -
          March 31, 1999 (unaudited)and
          September 30, 1998                                        1 - 2

         Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations -
          (unaudited) - Three Months Ended
          March 31, 1999 and 1998                                     3

         Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations -
          (unaudited) Six months Ended
          March 31, 1999 and 1998                                     4

         Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows -
          (unaudited) Six Months Ended
          March 31, 1999 and 1998                                  5 - 6 

         Notes to Condensed Consolidated 
          Financial Statements (unaudited)                         7 - 11

         Management's Discussion and Analysis
          of Financial Condition and Results of Operations        12 - 20

PART II  Other Information                                           21

         Signature                                                   22


                         NBTY, INC. and SUBSIDIARIES
                    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

                                   ASSETS

(Dollars and shares in thousands)



                                            March 31,     September 30,
                                              1999            1998
                                            ---------     -------------
                                          (Unaudited)

                                                     
Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents                 $ 25,484        $ 14,308

  Accounts receivable, less allowance
   for doubtful accounts of $1,056 in
   1999 and $1,045 in 1998                    25,579          23,433

  Inventories                                120,477         119,607

  Deferred income taxes                        2,994           2,994

  Prepaid property taxes, rent,
   and other current assets                   12,276          13,614
                                            ------------------------

      Total current assets                   186,810         173,956

Property, plant and equipment                252,261         234,081
  less accumulated depreciation
   and amortization                           76,427          67,746
                                            ------------------------
                                             175,834         166,335

Intangible assets, net                       141,582         152,426

Other assets                                   7,850           7,740
                                            ------------------------

     Total assets                           $512,076        $500,457
                                            ========================



See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.


                         NBTY, INC. and SUBSIDIARIES
                    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

                    LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

(Dollars and shares in thousands)



                                            March 31,     September 30,
                                              1999            1998
                                            ---------     -------------
                                          (Unaudited)

                                                       
Current liabilities:
  Current portion of long-term debt
   and capital lease obligations            $  1,264        $  1,218
  Accounts payable                            39,247          50,389
  Accrued expenses                            32,847          33,243
                                            ------------------------
      Total current liabilities               73,358          84,850

Long-term debt                               187,682         171,230

Obligations under capital leases               2,332           2,106

Deferred income taxes                          8,062           8,203

Other liabilities                              3,533           3,729
                                            ------------------------
      Total liabilities                      274,967         270,118
                                            ------------------------

Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' equity:
  Common stock, $0.008 par; authorized 75,000
   shares; issued 72,022 shares in 1999
   and 72,714 shares in 1998 and
   outstanding 71,722 shares in 1999
   and 68,203 shares in 1998                     574             582
  Capital in excess of par                   119,053         115,661
  Retained earnings                          116,296         105,989
                                            ------------------------
                                             235,923         222,232
  Less 4,511 treasury shares at cost               -          (3,206)
  Stock subscriptions receivable                (866)              -
  Accumulated other comprehensive earning      2,052          11,313
                                            ------------------------
      Total stockholders' equity             237,109         230,339
                                            ------------------------

      Total liabilities and stockholders'   $512,076        $500,457
                                            ========================



See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.


                         NBTY, INC. and SUBSIDIARIES

                 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

                                 (UNAUDITED)

         (Dollars and shares in thousands, except per share amounts)




                                                   For the three months
                                                      ended March 31,
                                                   --------------------
                                                    1999          1998
                                                    ----          ----


                                                          
Net sales                                         $167,673      $157,287

Costs and expenses:
  Cost of sales                                     78,549        75,198
  Catalog printing, postage and promotion            9,864         8,824
  Selling, general and administrative               62,424        46,178
                                                  ----------------------
                                                   150,837       130,200
                                                  ----------------------

Income from operations                              16,836        27,087
                                                  ----------------------

Other income (expense):
  Interest, net                                     (5,358)       (5,114)
  Miscellaneous, net                                     7           736
                                                  ----------------------
                                                    (5,351)       (4,378)
                                                  ----------------------

Income before income taxes                          11,485        22,709

Income taxes                                         4,647         7,092
                                                  ----------------------

  Net income                                      $  6,838      $ 15,617
                                                  ======================

Net income per share:
  Basic                                           $   0.10      $   0.24
                                                  ======================
  Diluted                                         $   0.09      $   0.23
                                                  ======================

Weighted average common shares outstanding:
  Basic                                             71,597        64,608
                                                  ======================
  Diluted                                           72,513        68,897
                                                  ======================



See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.


NBTY, INC. and SUBSIDIARIES

                 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

                                 (UNAUDITED)

         (Dollars and shares in thousands, except per share amounts)





                                                For the six months
                                                  ended March 31,
                                                -------------------
                                                 1999        1998
                                               --------------------

                                                     
Net sales                                      $308,686    $286,820
                                               --------------------

Costs and expenses:
  Cost of sales                                 147,508     140,414
  Catalog printing, postage and promotion        18,652      13,935
  Selling, general and administrative           115,895      90,452
                                               --------------------
                                                282,055     244,801
                                               --------------------

Income from operations                           26,631      42,019
                                               --------------------

Other income (expense):
  Interest                                       (9,626)     (9,221)
  Miscellaneous, net                                515       1,400
                                                 (9,111)     (7,821)
                                               --------------------

Income before income taxes                       17,520      34,198

Income taxes                                      7,214      10,565
                                               --------------------

    Net income                                 $ 10,306    $ 23,633
                                               ====================

Net income per share:
  Basic                                        $   0.14    $   0.37
                                               ====================
  Diluted                                      $   0.14    $   0.34
                                               ====================

Weighted average common shares outstanding:
  Basic                                          71,313      64,662
                                               ====================
  Diluted                                        72,573      68,967
                                               ====================



          See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.


                         NBTY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
               CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                 (UNAUDITED)

(Dollars in thousands)



                                                       For the six months
                                                         ended March 31,
                                                       ------------------
                                                       1999          1998
                                                       ----          ----

                                                             
Net income                                           $ 10,306      $ 23,633

Adjustments to reconcile net income to
 cash provided by operating activities:
  Loss on sale of property, plant and equipment           139
  Depreciation and amortization                        13,806        10,032
  Provision for allowance for doubtful accounts           (11)           (5)
  Deferred income taxes                                                   7
  Changes in assets and liabilities,
   net of acquistions:
    Increase in accounts receivable                    (1,667)         (199)
    Increase in inventories                            (2,337)      (11,698)
    (Increase) decrease in prepaid catalog
     costs and other current assets                    (7,993)        8,683
    Decrease in other assets                              539           535
    Decrease in accounts payable                      (10,192)       (3,201)
    Increase (decrease) in accrued expenses            13,650       (12,428)
    Decrease in other liabilities                        (195)
                                                     ----------------------
      Net cash provided by operating activities        16,045        15,359
                                                     ----------------------

Cash flows from investing activities:
  Purchase of property, plant and equipment           (21,642)      (38,942)
  Proceeds from sale of short term investments                        8,362
  Receipt of payments from direct-mail
                                                     ----------------------
      Net cash used in investing activities           (21,642)      (30,580)
                                                     ----------------------

Cash flows from financing activities:
  Dividends paid                                                     (5,950)
  Borrowings  under long term debt agreements          17,000        45,000
  Cash held in escrow                                               144,730
  Principal payments under long-term
   debt agreements and capital leases                    (532)       (1,153)
  Proceeds from stock options exercised                                  40
  Repayment of promissory note                                     (168,770)
  Stock subscriptions receivable                         (866)
                                                     ----------------------
      Net cash provided by financing activities        15,602        13,897
                                                     ----------------------
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash
 and Cash Equivalents                                   1,171           159
                                                     ----------------------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash
 equivalents                                           11,176        (1,165)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period       14,308        20,262
                                                     ----------------------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period           $ 25,484      $ 19,097
                                                     ======================

Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information:
   Cash paid during the period for interest          $  9,315      $ 12,129
   Cash paid during the period for taxes             $  7,779      $ 10,243



     See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.


                         NBTY, INC. and SUBSIDIARIES

                    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

              For the six months ended March 31, 1999 and 1998

                                 (Unaudited)

                  (In thousands, except per share amounts)

Supplemental Non-cash Investing and Financing Information:

During the six months ended March 31, 1999, options were exercised with 
3,520 shares of common stock issued to certain officers for interest-
bearing stock subscriptions receivable aggregating $866 and cash of $27.  
As a result of the exercise of those options, the Company expects to 
receive a compensation deduction for tax purposes of approximately $14,604 
and a tax benefit of approximately $5,696.


                         NBTY, INC. and SUBSIDIARIES

            NOTES to CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                 (Unaudited)

                  (In thousands, except per share amounts)

1.    Principles of consolidation and basis of presentation

      The consolidated financial statements of NBTY, Inc. and Subsidiaries 
      have been prepared to give retroactive effect to the merger between 
      Nutrition Headquarters, Inc., Lee Nutrition, Inc. and Nutro 
      Laboratories, Inc. (collectively, the "Nutrition Headquarters Group" 
      and together with NBTY, the "Company") on April 20, 1998. Under the 
      terms of the merger agreement, each share of Nutrition Headquarters 
      Group common stock was exchanged for  approximately 30 shares of 
      NBTY's common stock with approximately 8,772 shares of NBTY's common 
      stock exchanged for all the outstanding stock of Nutrition 
      Headquarters Group.

      The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the 
      Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries.  All intercompany accounts 
      and transactions have been eliminated. 

      In the opinion of the Company, the unaudited condensed consolidated 
      financial statements contain all adjustments necessary to present 
      fairly its financial position as of March 31, 1999 and its results of 
      operations for the three and six months ended March 31, 1999 and 1998 
      and statements of cash flows for the six months ended March 31, 1999 
      and 1998. The condensed consolidated balance sheet as of September 
      30, 1998 has been derived from the audited balance sheet as of that 
      date. The results of operations for the three and six months ended 
      March 31, 1999 and statements of cash flows for the six months ended 
      March 31, 1999 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be 
      expected for the full year. This report should be read in conjunction 
      with the Company's annual report filed  on Form 10-K for the fiscal 
      year ended September 30, 1998.

      Estimates

      The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally 
      accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates 
      and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, 
      liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at 
      the date of the financial statements and reported amounts of revenues 
      and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ 
      from those estimates.

      Income taxes

      Prior to the merger, Nutrition Headquarters Group had been treated as 
      an S corporation for Federal and state income tax purposes. 
      Accordingly, taxable income was reported to the individual 
      stockholders for inclusion in their respective income tax returns 
      with no provision for these taxes, other than certain minimum taxes, 
      included in the Company's consolidated financial statements. 

      Common shares and earnings per share

      On April 12, 1999, the Company's Certificate of Incorporation was 
      amended to authorize the issuance of up to 175 million shares of 
      common stock, par value $.008 per share. In March 1998, the Company's 
      Board of Directors declared a three-for-one stock split in the form 
      of a 200% stock dividend effective March 23, 1998.

      All per common share amounts have been retroactively restated to 
      account for the above stock split and the merger of NHG with NBTY. In 
      addition, stock options and respective exercise prices have been 
      amended to reflect these transactions. 

      The Company retired 4,511 treasury shares during fiscal 1999 and 
      accordingly, such retired shares are considered unissued.

      In February 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") 
      issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 128, 
      "Earnings Per Share." The statement requires the presentation of both 
      "basic" and "diluted" EPS on the face of the income statement. Basic 
      EPS is based on the weighted average number of shares of common stock 
      outstanding during each period while diluted EPS is based on the 
      weighted average number of shares of common stock and common stock 
      equivalents outstanding during each period. The Company adopted the 
      provisions of SFAS 128 effective October 1, 1998.

      Reclassifications

      Certain reclassifications have been made to conform prior year 
      amounts to the current year presentation.

      Accounting changes

      In February 1998, the American Institute of Certified Public 
      Accountants' Accounting Standards Executive Committee ("AcSEC") 
      issued Statement of Position No. 98-1, "Accounting for the Costs of 
      Computer Software Developed or Obtained for Internal Use" ("SOP No. 
      98-1").  SOP No. 98-1 requires certain costs incurred in connection 
      with developing or obtaining internal-use software to be capitalized 
      and other costs to be expensed.  The Company adopted SOP 98-1 during 
      fiscal 1998, and its application had no material effect on the 
      Company's financial position or results of operations.

      In April 1998, the American Institute of Certified Public 
      Accountants' AcSEC  issued Statement of Position No. 98-5, "Reporting 
      on the Costs of Start-Up Activities" ("SOP No. 98-5").  SOP No. 98-5 
      requires that all start-up (or pre-opening) activities and 
      organization costs be expensed as incurred. The Company adopted SOP 
      98-5 on October 1, 1998, and its application had no material effect 
      on the Company's financial position or results of operations. 

      New accounting standards

      In June 1997, the FASB issued SFAS No. 131, "Disclosures About 
      Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information," which establishes 
      standards for reporting information about operating segments by 
      public business enterprises in annual financial statements and 
      requires those enterprises to report selected information about 
      operating segments in interim financial reports to stockholders.  It 
      also establishes standards for disclosures regarding products and 
      services, geographic areas and major customers. This SFAS is 
      effective for the Company on September 30, 1999. 

      In June 1998, the FASB issued SFAS No. 133, "Statement of Financial 
      Accounting Standards Accounting for Derivative Instruments and 
      Hedging Activities" ("SFAS 133"). SFAS 133 is effective fiscal years 
      beginning after June 15, 1999 (October 1, 1999 for the Company). SFAS 
      133 requires that all derivative instruments be recorded on the 
      balance sheet at their fair value. Changes in the fair value of 
      derivatives are recorded each period in current earnings or other 
      comprehensive income, depending on whether a derivative is designated 
      as part of a hedge transaction and, if it is, the type of hedge 
      transaction.  Management of the Company anticipates that, due to its 
      limited use of derivative instruments, the adoption of SFAS 133 will 
      not have a significant effect on the Company's results of operations 
      or its financial position.

2.    Acquisitions 

      In August 1998, the Company acquired certain assets of three 
      privately held vitamin mail order companies: Home Health Products, 
      Inc., Barth-Spencer Corporation and Darby Health Group, Inc. for $7.8 
      million in cash. The aggregate sales of these companies were 
      approximately $20 million in 1997. The mail order databases of the 
      acquired operations will be incorporated into NBTY's active direct 
      response customer base to increase the number of active customers.

3.    Comprehensive earnings

      On June 1, 1997, the FASB issued SFAS No. 130, "Reporting of 
      Comprehensive Income," which establishes standards for the reporting 
      and display of comprehensive income, its components (revenue, 
      expenses, gains and losses) and accumulated balances in a full set of 
      general purpose financial statements.  Comprehensive income for the 
      Company includes net income and the effects of translation which are 
      charged or credited to the cumulative translation adjustments account 
      within stockholders' equity.  SFAS No. 130 was adopted on October 1, 
      1998. 

      Comprehensive earnings for the three and six months ended March 31, 
      1999 and 1998 are as follows:




                                For the three months      For the six months
                                  ended March 31,           ended March 31,
                                --------------------      ------------------
                                 1999         1998         1999         1998
                                 ----         ----         ----         ----

                                                          
Net income                     $ 6,838      $15,617      $10,306      $23,633
Changes in cumulative
 Translation adjustment         (5,343)       3,588       (9,261)       6,837
                               ----------------------------------------------
Comprehensive earnings         $ 1,495      $19,205      $ 1,045      $30,470
                               ==============================================



      Accumulated other comprehensive earnings, which had been classified 
      as a separate component of stockholders' equity, is comprised of 
      cumulative translation adjustments of $2,052 and $11,313 at March 31, 
      1999 and September 30, 1998, respectively.  

4.    Inventories

      Inventories have been estimated using the gross profit method for the 
      interim periods. The components of the inventories are as follows:



                                               March 31,   September 30,
                                                 1999          1998
                                               ---------   -------------

                                                       
      Raw materials and Work-in-process        $ 53,381      $ 50,913
      Finished goods                             67,096        68,694
                                               ----------------------
                                               $120,477      $119,607
                                               ======================



5.    Earnings per share (EPS)

      Basic EPS computations are based on the weighted average number of 
      common shares outstanding during the three and six month periods 
      ended March 31, 1999 and 1998.  Diluted EPS include the dilutive 
      effect of outstanding stock options, if exercised.  The following is 
      a reconciliation  between the basic and diluted EPS, as required by 
      SFAS No. 128:




                                      For the three months       For the six months
                                           March 31,                 March 31,
                                      --------------------       ------------------
                                       1999         1998         1999         1998
                                       ----         ----         ----         ----

                                                                
Numerator:
  Numerator for basic EPS --
    Income available
    To common stockholders           $ 6,838      $15,617      $10,306      $23,633
                                     ==============================================
  Numerator for diluted EPS --
    Income available
    To common stockholders           $ 6,838      $15,617      $10,306      $23,633
                                     ==============================================

Denominator:
  Denominator for basic EPS --
    Weighted average shares           71,597       64,608       71,313       64,662
  Effect of dilutive securities:
    Stock options                        916        4,289        1,260        4,305
                                     ----------------------------------------------
  Denominator for diluted EPS --
    Weighted average shares           72,513       68,897       72,573       68,967
                                     ==============================================
Net EPS:
  Basic EPS                          $  0.10      $  0.24      $  0.14      $  0.37
                                     ==============================================
  Diluted EPS                        $  0.09      $  0.23      $  0.14      $  0.34
                                     ==============================================



6.    Stock options:

      During the six months ended March 31, 1999, options were exercised 
      with 3,520 shares of common stock issued to certain officers for 
      interest-bearing stock subscriptions receivable aggregating $866 and 
      cash of $27.  As a result of the exercise of those options, the 
      Company expects to receive a compensation deduction for tax purposes 
      of approximately $14,604 and a tax benefit of approximately $5,696.

7.    Foreign operations:

      The following information has been summarized by geographic area as 
      of March 31, 1999 and 1998 and for the three and six months then 
      ended:




                               Identifiable Assets
                                    March 31,
                               ------------------
                               1999          1998
                               ----          ----

                                     
United States                $301,022      $248,521
United Kingdom                211,054       212,423
                             ----------------------
                             $512,076      $460,944
                             ======================





                               Three months ended         Three months ended
                                 March 31, 1999             March 31, 1998
                                    Operating                  Operating
                               ------------------         ------------------
                               Sales       Income         Sales       Income
                               -----       ------         -----       ------

                                                          
United States                $112,549      $ 9,302      $110,597      $22,943
United Kingdom                 55,124        7,534        46,690        4,144
                             ------------------------------------------------
                             $167,673      $16,836      $157,287      $27,087
                             ================================================



                                Six months ended           Six months ended
                                 March 31, 1999             March 31, 1998
                                    Operating                  Operating
                               ------------------         ------------------
                               Sales       Income         Sales       Income
                               -----       ------         -----       ------

                                                          
United States                $193,098      $14,783      $190,237      $34,751
United Kingdom                115,588       11,848        96,583        7,268
                             ------------------------------------------------
                             $308,686      $26,631      $286,820      $42,019
                             ================================================




                         NBTY, INC. and SUBSIDIARIES
              MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION and ANALYSIS of FINANCIAL
                     CONDITION and RESULTS of OPERATIONS

                  (In thousands, except per share amounts)

Results of Operations:

The following table sets forth income statement data of the Company as a 
percentage of net sales for the periods indicated:




                                                 Three months               Six months
                                                    Ended                     Ended
                                                   March 31,                 March 31,
                                               -----------------         -----------------
                                               1999         1998         1999         1998
                                               ----         ----         ----         ----

                                                                               
Net sales                                     100.0 %      100.0 %      100.0 %      100.0 %
Costs and expenses:
  Cost of sales                                46.8         47.8         47.8         49.0
  Catalog printing, postage and promotion       5.9          5.6          6.0          4.9
  Selling, general and administrative          37.2         29.4         37.5         31.5
                                              --------------------------------------------
                                               89.9         82.8         91.3         85.4
                                              --------------------------------------------

Income from operations                         10.1         17.2          8.7         14.6
Other income (expenses), net                   (3.2)        (2.8)        (3.0)        (2.7)
                                              --------------------------------------------
Income before income taxes                      6.9         14.4          5.7         11.9
Income taxes                                    2.8          4.5          2.4          3.7
                                              --------------------------------------------
Net income                                      4.1 %        9.9 %        3.3%         8.2 %
                                              ============================================



For the three months ended March 31, 1999 compared to
 the three months ended March 31, 1998:

Net sales. Net sales in the second quarter ended March 31, 1999 were 
$167,673 compared with $157,287 for the prior comparable period, an 
increase of $10,386 or 6.6%. Direct response sales were $59,006, compared 
to $61,874 for the prior comparable period (decrease of $2,868 or 4.6%), 
wholesale sales were $30,704 compared to $33,383 (decrease of $2,679 or 
8.0%), U.S. retail sales were $24,210 compared to $16,476 (increase of 
$7,734 or 46.9%) and U.K. retail sales were $53,753 compared to $45,554 
(increase $8,199 or 18.1%). The Company operated 277 stores in the U.S. and 
415 stores in the U.K. as of March 31, 1999 compared to 142 stores in the 
U.S. and 418 in the U.K. as of March 31, 1998. The Company experienced more 
competitive pressures and accordingly, direct response and wholesale sales 
channels showed decrease in sales.  Sales growth in the U.S. retail channel 
reflected the greater number of stores compared to last year.

Costs and expenses.  Cost of sales as a percentage of sales were 46.8% for 
1999 and 47.8% for 1998. The decrease was associated with changes in 
product mix and lower raw material pricing from suppliers and replacing a 
number of outside vendors at Holland and Barrett with NBTY supplied 
products. 

Catalog printing, postage, and promotion expenses were $9,864 in 1999, an 
increase of $1.0 million (11.8% increase), from $8,824 in 1998. As a 
percentage of sales, expenses were 5.9% for the current quarter and 5.6% 
for the prior comparable quarter. 

Selling, general and administrative expenses were $62,424 for the quarter, 
or 37.2% as a percentage of sales, compared with $46,178 or 29.4% as a 
percentage of sales, an increase of $16.2 million (35.2% increase). The 
largest categories and increases are indirect salaries, rents, freight, 
property taxes and legal fees. These expenses increased due primarily to 
the U.S. retail store expansion program.

Interest expense. Interest expense was $5,358, an increase of $244 compared 
to $5,114 during the comparable quarter. The major components are interest 
associated with the Holland & Barrett acquisition, the Credit and Guarantee 
Agreement (CGA) and the write-off of fees associated with the amended and 
restated CGA. 

Income taxes. Prior to the merger, NHG had been treated as an S corporation 
for Federal and state tax purposes.  Accordingly, taxable income was 
reported to the individual stockholders for inclusion in their respective 
income tax returns with no provision for these taxes, other than certain 
minimum taxes, included in the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.

Income before income taxes was $11,485 for 1999 and $22,709 for 1998.  
After income taxes, the Company had a net profit of $6,838 (or basic 
earnings per share of $0.10, diluted earnings per share of $0.09) for the 
three month period ended March 31, 1999, and $15,617 (or basic earnings per 
share of $0.24, diluted earnings per share of $0.23) for the three months 
ended March 31, 1998. 

                         NBTY, INC. and SUBSIDIARIES
              MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION and ANALYSIS of FINANCIAL
                     CONDITION and RESULTS of OPERATIONS
                                 (Unaudited)

                  (In thousands, except per share amounts)

Results of Operations

For the six months ended March 31, 1999 compared to 
 the six months ended March 31, 1998:

Net sales. Net sales in the six months ended March 31, 1999 were $308,686 
compared with $286,820 for the prior comparable period, an increase of 
$21,866 or 7.6%. Direct response sales were $89,226, compared to $93,933 
for the prior comparable period (decrease of $4,706 or 5.0%), wholesale 
sales were $60,768 compared to $66,762 (decrease of $5,994 or 9.0%), U.S. 
retail sales were $44,999 compared to $31,314  (increase of $13,685 or 
43.7%) and U.K. retail sales were $113,693 compared to $94,811 (increase 
$18,882 or 19.9%). The Company operated 277 stores in the U.S. and 415 
stores in the U.K. as of March 31, 1999 compared to 142 stores in the U.S. 
and 418 in the U.K. as of March 31, 1998. The Company experienced more 
competitive pressures and accordingly, direct response and wholesale sales 
channels showed decrease in sales.  Sales growth in the U.S. retail channel 
reflected the greater number of stores compared to last year.

Costs and expenses.  Cost of sales as a percentage of sales were 47.8% for 
1999 and 49.0% for 1998. The decrease was associated with changes in 
product mix and lower raw material pricing from suppliers. In addition, in 
the six months ended March 31, 1999 compared to the six months ended March 
31, 1998, a significant number of products supplied by outside vendors to 
Holland and Barrett were replaced by NBTY supplied products. 

Catalog printing, postage, and promotion expenses were $18,652 in 1999 an 
increase of $4.7 million (33.8% increase), from $13,935 in 1998 As a 
percentage of sales, expenses were 6.0% for the six months and 4.9% for the 
prior six months. Such increase was principally due to H&B's television 
commercials in October 1998 and greater number of catalogs being mailed and 
advertising for store openings.

Selling, general and administrative expenses were $115,895 for the six 
months, or 37.5% as a percentage of sales, compared with $90,452 or 31.5% 
as a percentage of sales, an increase of $30.2 million (28.1% increase). 
The largest segments and increases are indirect salaries, rents, freight, 
depreciation of property, plant and equipment and legal.  These expenses 
increased due primarily to the U.S. retail expansion program.

Interest expense. Interest expense was $9,626, an increase of $405 compared 
to $9,221 during the comparable quarter. The major components are interest 
associated with the Holland & Barrett acquisition, the Credit and Guarantee 
Agreement (CGA) and the write-off of fees associated with the amended and 
restated CGA.

Income taxes. Prior to the merger, NHG had been treated as an S corporation 
for Federal and state tax purposes.  Accordingly, taxable income was 
reported to the individual stockholders for inclusion in their respective 
income tax returns with no provision for these taxes, other than certain 
minimum taxes, included in the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.

Income before income taxes was $17,520 for 1999 and $34,198 for 1998.  
After income taxes, the Company had a net profit of $10,306 (or basic 
earnings per share of $0.14, diluted earnings per share of $0.14) for the 
six month period ended March 31, 1999, and $23,633 (or basic earnings per 
share of $0.37, diluted earnings per share of $0.34) for the six months 
ended March 31, 1998. 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Working capital was $113.4 million at March 31, 1999, compared with $89.1 
million at September 30, 1998, an increase of $24.3 million.

In April 1999, the Company entered into an amended and restated Credit and 
Guarantee Agreement (CGA) which expires September 30, 2003 increasing the 
borrowing limit from $60 million to $135 million. The CGA provides for 
borrowings for working capital, general corporate purposes and acquisition 
of the Company's securities. The CGA provides that loans be made under a 
selection of rate formulas, including prime or Euro currency rates. 
Virtually all of the company's assets are collateralized under the CGA and 
subject to normal banking terms and conditions and the maintenance of 
various financial ratios and covenants. At March 31, 1999, there were 
borrowings of $25,000 under this facility. The Company plans on utilizing 
the funds for working capital needs and to buy back its common stock under 
its existing stock purchase plan.

In connection with the August 1997 acquisition of Holland & Barrett, the 
Company issued $150 million 8-5/8% senior subordinated Notes ("Notes") due 
in 2007.  The Notes are unsecured and subordinated in right of payment for 
all existing and future indebtedness of the Company.

In November and December 1997, the Company paid an aggregate $5,350 in 
connection with a litigation settlement, net of a reimbursement made by an 
insurance carrier.

In December 1997, the Company purchased a building for a purchase price of 
approximately $3,900 with operating funds.

In April 1998, the Company sold certain assets of its cosmetic pencil 
operation for approximately $6 million, of which $4.5 million was paid in 
cash.

On July 1, 1998, the Company sold 3,450 shares of common stock in a public 
offering. The Company realized approximately $55 million which was used to 
repay borrowings under the Company's Credit and Guarantee Agreement and for 
working capital.

The Company believes that existing cash balances, internally-generated 
funds from operations, amounts available under the CGA and other debt 
facilities will provide sufficient liquidity to satisfy the Companies' 
working capital needs for the next 12 months and to finance anticipated 
capital expenditures incurred in the normal course of business.

Net cash provided by operating activities was $16.0 million in 1999 and 
$15.4 million in 1998 primarily due to increases in depreciation and 
amortization and accrued expenses.  Net cash used in investing activities 
was $21.6 million in 1999 and $30.6 million in 1998 due to retail stores 
and plant expansion programs. Net cash provided by financing activities was 
$15.6 million in 1999 due to borrowings  under the CGA and was $13.9 
million in 1998.

Management believes that inflation did not have a significant impact on its  
operations.

Year 2000.

The Year 2000 problem is a result of software computer programs being 
written using two digits rather than four to define the applicable year.  
The Company recognizes the risk that its software programs or computer 
hardware that have date-sensitive software or embedded chips may recognize 
a date using "00" as the year 1900 rather than the Year 2000.  This could 
result in system failures or miscalculations  causing disruptions to 
operations including, among other things, a temporary inability to process 
transactions, send invoices, or engage in similar normal business 
activities.  The Company recognizes the need to ensure that its operations 
will not be adversely impacted by Year 2000 software and hardware failure.  
The Company is developing a plan to ensure that its systems are compliant 
with the requirements to process transactions in the Year 2000.  That plan 
consists of four phases: assessment, remediation, testing and 
implementation, and encompasses internal information technology (IT) 
systems and non-IT systems, as well as third party exposures.

The following is a status report of the Company's effort to date:

      The Company's State of Readiness

      The Company has completed the assessment of its IT systems and non-IT 
      systems.

      Third Parties And Their Exposure To The Year 2000

      The Company has requested from a majority of its principal suppliers 
      and vendors written statements regarding their knowledge of and plans 
      for meeting Year 2000 requirements.  To date, the Company is not 
      aware of any principal supplier or vendor with a Year 2000 issue that 
      could materially impact the Company's results of operations, 
      liquidity, or capital resources.  However, the Company has no means 
      of ensuring that external agents will be Year 2000 ready.  The 
      inability of external agents to complete their Year 2000 resolution 
      process in a timely fashion could materially impact the Company.  The 
      effect of non-compliance by external agents cannot be determined.

      Risks

      Management of the Company believes that it is working on an effective 
      program to resolve the Year 2000 issue in a timely manner.  The 
      Company has not yet completed all necessary phases of the Year 2000 
      program.  The Company has retained an outside firm to assist the 
      Company's personnel.  It is estimated that the costs of this project 
      will approximate $200.  In the event that the Company does not 
      complete any additional phases, the Company could experience business 
      interruptions.  In addition, disruptions in the economy generally 
      resulting from the Year 2000 issues could also materially adversely 
      affect the Company.  The amount of potential liability and lost 
      revenue cannot be reasonably estimated at this time.

      Contingency Plans

      The Company currently has no contingency plans in place in the event 
      it does not complete all phases of the Year 2000 program.  The 
      Company plans to evaluate the status of completion in September 1999 
      and determine whether such a plan is necessary.

New pronouncements

In June 1997, the FASB issued SFAS No. 131, "Disclosures About Segments of 
an Enterprise and Related Information," which establishes standards for 
reporting information about operating segments by public business 
enterprises in annual financial statements and requires those enterprises 
to report selected information about operating segments in interim 
financial reports to stockholders. It also establishes standards for 
disclosures regarding products and services, geographic areas and major 
customers. This SFAS is effective for the Company on September 30, 1999. 
Management anticipates that the adoption of SFAS No. 131 will not have a 
significant effect on results of operations or its financial position. 

In June 1998, the FASB issued SFAS No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative 
Instruments and Hedging Activities". SFAS No. 133 is effective for all 
fiscal quarters of all fiscal years beginning after June 15, 1999 (October 
1, 1999 for the Company). SFAS No. 133 requires that all derivative 
instruments be recorded on the balance sheet at their fair value. Changes 
in the fair value of derivatives are recorded each period in current 
earnings or other comprehensive income, depending on whether a derivative 
is designated as part of a hedge transaction and, if it is, the type of 
hedge transaction.  Management of the Company anticipates that, due to its 
limited use of derivative instruments, the adoption of SFAS No. 133 will 
not have a significant effect on the Company's results of operations or its 
financial position.

This filing contains certain forward-looking statements and information 
that are based on the beliefs of management, as well as assumptions made by 
and information currently available to the Company's management.  When used 
in this document, the words "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," and 
"expect" and similar expressions, as they relate to the Company are 
intended to identify forward-looking statements.  Such statements reflect 
the current views of the Company with respect to future events and are 
subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Should one or more 
of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying 
assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those 
described herein as anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. The 
Company does not intend to update these forward-looking statements.


                         NBTY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                         PART II OTHER INFORMATION
                                 (Unaudited)

Item 1.  Legal Proceedings

LITIGATION:

GEHE AG (Holland & Barrett's former parent company), has filed an action in 
the U.K., in February 1998, against the Company in a dispute over the 
interpretation of the acquisition agreement.

In November and December 1997, the Company paid an aggregate $5,350 in 
connection with a litigation settlement, net of a reimbursement made by its 
insurance carrier.  Reference is made to Note 15 in Form 10-K for the year 
ended September 30, 1998.

Item 2.  Changes in Securities

Not applicable.

Item 3.  Defaults upon Senior Securities Not applicable.

Not applicable.

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

The following propositions were approved on April 12, 1999, at NBTY, Inc.'s 
Annual Meeting of Stockholders:

Proposition 1:  Re-elected Directors to serve until the 2002 Annual 
                Meeting.



                             Votes for      Votes against
                             ---------      -------------

                                        
   Scott Rudolph             61,051,000       1,876,000
   Murray Daly               61,047,000       1,879,000
   Bud Solk                  61,049,000       1,877,000
   Nathan Rosenblatt         61,019,000       1,908,000



Proposition 2:  Approved an increase in the number of authorized shares 
                from 75,000,000 shares of common stock, $.008 par value, to 
                175,000,000  shares of common stock, $.008 par value.




           Votes for      Votes against      Votes abstained
           ---------      -------------      ---------------

                                           
          57,137,000        5,513,000            277,000



Proposition 3:  Ratified the designation of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as 
                independent accountants to audit the consolidated financial 
                statements of the Company for the 1999 fiscal year.




           Votes for      Votes against      Votes abstained
           ---------      -------------      ---------------

                                           
          62,472,000          201,000            253,000



Item 5. Other Information

In April 1999, the Company entered into an amended and restated Credit and 
Guarantee Agreement (CGA) which expires September 30, 2003 increasing the 
borrowing limit from $60 million to $135 million. The CGA provides for 
borrowings for working capital, general corporate purposes and acquisition 
of the company's securities. The CGA provides that loans be made under a 
selection of rate formulas, including prime or Euro currency rates. 
Virtually all of the company's assets are collateralized under the CGA and 
subject to normal banking terms and conditions and the maintenance of 
various financial ratios and covenants.

Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

There was no Form 8-K filed during the second quarter of the fiscal year 
ending September 30, 1999.


                         NBTY, INC. and SUBSIDIARIES

                                  SIGNATURE

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 there unto duly authorized. 

                                       NBTY, INC.


Date  May 6, 1999                      /s/ Harvey Kamil
                                       Harvey Kamil, Executive Vice 
                                       President, Secretary
                                       (Principal Financial 
                                       and Accounting Officer)