<ARTICLE>                    5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information
extracted from Form 10-Q for the period ended
March 31, 2000 and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<CIK>                        0000929697
<NAME>                       THE GENERAL CHEMICAL GROUP INC.
<MULTIPLIER>                 1,000

                                      
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                        DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                           JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                             MAR-31-2000
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                  3-MOS
<CASH>                                        28,286
<SECURITIES>                                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                 56,802
<ALLOWANCES>                                  (2,654)
<INVENTORY>                                   26,089
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             121,673
<PP&E>                                       325,673
<DEPRECIATION>                              (176,083)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               294,233
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                         58,293
<BONDS>                                      150,845
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                              0
<PREFERRED>                                        0
<COMMON>                                         186
<OTHER-SE>                                   (48,255)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 294,233
<SALES>                                       54,180
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                              54,180
<CGS>                                         45,878
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                 45,878
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             3,881
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (2,497)
<INCOME-TAX>                                  (1,252)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (1,245)
<DISCONTINUED>                                     0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                    0
<CHANGES>                                          0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (1,245)
<EPS-BASIC>                                   (.06)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (.06)