<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>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          NOV-30-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             DEC-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               AUG-31-2000
<CASH>                                           3,237
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   53,966
<ALLOWANCES>                                       850
<INVENTORY>                                     23,348
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                87,709
<PP&E>                                          50,856
<DEPRECIATION>                                  21,632
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 482,070
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           63,167
<BONDS>                                        345,630
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         1,927
<OTHER-SE>                                      54,124
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   482,070
<SALES>                                        215,260
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               215,260
<CGS>                                           57,296
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  163,940
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              27,329
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 24,119
<INCOME-TAX>                                     9,141
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             14,978
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                  (110)
<CHANGES>                                        (542)
<NET-INCOME>                                    14,326
<EPS-BASIC>                                       1.51
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.49