<ARTICLE>           5
<LEGEND>            This schedule contains summary financial
                    information  extracted  from Form  10-Q for the  period
                    ended March 31, 1997 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-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                 JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                   MAR-31-1997
<PERIOD-TYPE>                        3-MOS
<CASH>                           $  63,164
<SECURITIES>                             0
<RECEIVABLES>                      109,889
<ALLOWANCES>                         4,577
<INVENTORY>                         41,424
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                   224,861
<PP&E>                             420,909
<DEPRECIATION>                     183,727
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                     497,634
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>              150,464
<BONDS>                            212,869
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                    0
<PREFERRED>                              0
<COMMON>                               223
<OTHER-SE>                        (109,136)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>       497,634
<SALES>                            149,566
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                   149,566
<CGS>                              104,364
<TOTAL-COSTS>                      104,364
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                         0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                         0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                   5,257
<INCOME-PRETAX>                     19,267
<INCOME-TAX>                         7,553
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                 11,714
<DISCONTINUED>                           0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                          0
<CHANGES>                                0
<NET-INCOME>                        11,714
<EPS-PRIMARY>                          .50
<EPS-DILUTED>                          .50