<ARTICLE>                   5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial
information extracted from Form 10-Q for the period
ended September 30, 1997 and is qualified in its
entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<CIK>                       854599
<NAME>                      THE GENERAL CHEMICAL CORPORATION
<MULTIPLIER>                1,000
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>           DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>              JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                SEP-30-1997
<PERIOD-TYPE>                     9-MOS
<CASH>                         $  18,420 
<SECURITIES>                           0 
<RECEIVABLES>                    106,651 
<ALLOWANCES>                       4,795 
<INVENTORY>                       31,225 
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                 166,051 
<PP&E>                           445,561 
<DEPRECIATION>                   174,454 
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                   484,379 
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>            147,780 
<BONDS>                          234,218 
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                  0 
<PREFERRED>                            0 
<COMMON>                               0 
<OTHER-SE>                      (123,725) 
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>     484,379  
<SALES>                          384,406  
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                 384,406  
<CGS>                            266,803  
<TOTAL-COSTS>                    266,803  
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                       0  
<LOSS-PROVISION>                       0  
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                16,001  
<INCOME-PRETAX>                   51,278  
<INCOME-TAX>                      19,906  
<INCOME-CONTINUING>               31,372  
<DISCONTINUED>                         0  
<EXTRAORDINARY>                        0  
<CHANGES>                              0  
<NET-INCOME>                      31,372  
<EPS-PRIMARY>                          0  
<EPS-DILUTED>                          0