<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM
NUTRACEUTICAL INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION'S FINANCIAL POSITION AS OF MARCH 31,
1999 AND THE RESULTS OF ITS OPERATIONS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1999
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                                       
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                    6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1999
<CASH>                                           1,183
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   11,482
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,116
<INVENTORY>                                     26,105
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                39,926
<PP&E>                                          23,303
<DEPRECIATION>                                (10,077)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 107,920
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           10,799
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           118
<OTHER-SE>                                      54,732
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   107,920
<SALES>                                         54,446
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                54,446
<CGS>                                           29,440
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   29,440
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                17,988
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    92
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,240
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  5,778
<INCOME-TAX>                                     2,225
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              3,553
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     3,553
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.30
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.29