<ARTICLE>                    5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from Form 10-Q
for the period ended June 30, 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>                                  JUN-30-1999
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                 6-MOS
<CASH>                                        26,563
<SECURITIES>                                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                 68,783
<ALLOWANCES>                                   2,668
<INVENTORY>                                   21,386
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             125,188
<PP&E>                                       306,579
<DEPRECIATION>                               162,634
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               291,404
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                         60,012
<BONDS>                                      150,098
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                              0
<PREFERRED>                                        0
<COMMON>                                         225
<OTHER-SE>                                   (39,912)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 291,404
<SALES>                                      130,637
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             130,637
<CGS>                                        105,226
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                105,226
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             6,102
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                4,275
<INCOME-TAX>                                   1,001
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            3,274
<DISCONTINUED>                                     0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                    0
<CHANGES>                                          0
<NET-INCOME>                                   3,274
<EPS-BASIC>                                    .16
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    .15