<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM CHIREX INC.'S 1999
FORM 10-K AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FORM 10-K.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0001005407
<NAME> CHIREX INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1999
<CASH>                                           4,480
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   31,096
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     27,503
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                68,402
<PP&E>                                         212,948
<DEPRECIATION>                                  49,801
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 263,052
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           37,767
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           152
<OTHER-SE>                                     159,895
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   263,052
<SALES>                                        146,499
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               146,989
<CGS>                                           93,800
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   30,649
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               5,934
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 16,606
<INCOME-TAX>                                   (5,843)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             10,763
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                (1,460)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     9,303
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.65
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.62