<ARTICLE>                    5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from Form 10-Q
for the period ended September 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

                          
<PERIOD-TYPE>                             9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                   DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                      JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                        SEP-30-1999
<CASH>                                  34,995
<SECURITIES>                                 0
<RECEIVABLES>                           58,427
<ALLOWANCES>                             2,668
<INVENTORY>                             21,197
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                       121,709
<PP&E>                                 312,061
<DEPRECIATION>                         167,041
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                         289,033
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                   56,761
<BONDS>                                150,505
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                        0
<PREFERRED>                                  0
<COMMON>                                   225
<OTHER-SE>                             (43,369)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>           289,033
<SALES>                                194,755
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                       194,755
<CGS>                                  156,905
<TOTAL-COSTS>                          156,905
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                             0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                             0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                       9,764
<INCOME-PRETAX>                          5,453
<INCOME-TAX>                             1,066
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                      4,387
<DISCONTINUED>                               0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                              0
<CHANGES>                                    0
<NET-INCOME>                             4,387
<EPS-BASIC>                              .21
<EPS-DILUTED>                              .20