<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM CHATTEM,
INC.'S UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          NOV-30-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             DEC-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAY-31-1999
<CASH>                                           4,869
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   59,250
<ALLOWANCES>                                       850
<INVENTORY>                                     22,980
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                90,456
<PP&E>                                          39,126
<DEPRECIATION>                                  18,870
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 490,901
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           65,046
<BONDS>                                        378,547
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         2,034
<OTHER-SE>                                      36,298
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   490,901
<SALES>                                        146,169
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               146,169
<CGS>                                           38,674
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  111,411
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              18,179
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 16,823
<INCOME-TAX>                                     6,325
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             10,498
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                (1,584)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     8,914
<EPS-BASIC>                                        .92
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .88