<ARTICLE>                    5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from Form 10-Q
for the period ended March 31, 1999 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-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                           JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                             MAR-31-1999
<PERIOD-TYPE>                            3-MOS
<CASH>                                         1,249
<SECURITIES>                                       0  
<RECEIVABLES>                                 61,432  
<ALLOWANCES>                                   2,666  
<INVENTORY>                                   22,571  
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                              91,957  
<PP&E>                                       286,036  
<DEPRECIATION>                               144,136  
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               250,544  
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                         54,105  
<BONDS>                                            0  
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                              0  
<PREFERRED>                                        0  
<COMMON>                                         224  
<OTHER-SE>                                    67,296  
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 250,544  
<SALES>                                       61,472  
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                              61,472  
<CGS>                                         51,268  
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                 51,268  
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   0  
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   0  
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             2,669  
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                1,309  
<INCOME-TAX>                                     330  
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              979  
<DISCONTINUED>                                     0  
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                    0  
<CHANGES>                                          0  
<NET-INCOME>                                     979  
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    .05  
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    .05