<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information
extracted from Form 10-K for the period ended December
31, 1999 and is qualified in its entirety by reference
to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<CIK>                         0000929697
<NAME>                        THE GENERAL CHEMICAL GROUP INC.
<MULTIPLIER>                                   1000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                        DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                           JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                             DEC-31-1999
<CASH>                                        26,630
<SECURITIES>                                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                 60,649
<ALLOWANCES>                                   2,679
<INVENTORY>                                   25,291
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             119,336
<PP&E>                                       320,777
<DEPRECIATION>                              (170,739)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               291,748
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                         57,943
<BONDS>                                      150,919
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                              0
<PREFERRED>                                        0
<COMMON>                                         225
<OTHER-SE>                                   (47,118)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 291,748
<SALES>                                      256,793
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             256,793
<CGS>                                        207,139
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                207,139
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                            13,741
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                5,418
<INCOME-TAX>                                     433
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            4,985
<DISCONTINUED>                                     0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                    0
<CHANGES>                                          0
<NET-INCOME>                                   4,985
<EPS-BASIC>                                      .24
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    .23