<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
     THIS SCHEDULE  CONTAINS SUMMARY  FINANCIAL  INFORMATION  EXTRACTED FROM THE
REGISTRANT'S UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTAINED IN ITS REPORT ON FORM 10-Q
FOR THE  QUARTERLY  PERIOD  ENDED  SEPTEMBER  30, 1997 AND IS  QUALIFIED  IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK>                         0000929299
<NAME>                        ISOLYSER COMPANY, INC.
<MULTIPLIER>                                   1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-mos
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                                 JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                   SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                               9,477<F1>
<SECURITIES>                                             0
<RECEIVABLES>                                       27,437<F2>
<ALLOWANCES>                                             0
<INVENTORY>                                         44,590
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                    86,719
<PP&E>                                              93,259
<DEPRECIATION>                                      18,617
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                     218,759
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                               57,598
<BONDS>                                                  0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                    0
<PREFERRED>                                              0
<COMMON>                                                40
<OTHER-SE>                                         155,381
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                       218,759
<SALES>                                            124,314
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                         0
<CGS>                                              110,300
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                      110,300
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                    36,097
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                         0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   2,977
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                   (24,635)
<INCOME-TAX>                                            17
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                               (24,652)
<DISCONTINUED>                                           0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                          0
<CHANGES>                                                0
<NET-INCOME>                                      (24,652)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                       (0.63)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                       (0.63)
<FN>
<F1> INCLUDES CASH EQUIVALENTS.
<F2> ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE ARE SHOWN NET OF ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS.
</FN>