<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>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          NOV-30-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             DEC-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               FEB-28-1997
<CASH>                                           9,925
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   23,279
<ALLOWANCES>                                       400
<INVENTORY>                                     11,724
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                48,162
<PP&E>                                          26,443
<DEPRECIATION>                                  16,800
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 149,200
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           23,866
<BONDS>                                        126,553
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         1,857
<OTHER-SE>                                     (8,933)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   149,200
<SALES>                                         27,946
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                27,946
<CGS>                                            8,394
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   24,318
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               3,798
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    149
<INCOME-TAX>                                        13
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                136
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       136
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .02
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .02