<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM CHIREX INC.
SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FILED ON FORM 10-Q AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FORM 10-Q
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                           1,945
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   14,007
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     24,613
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 6,291
<PP&E>                                          74,141
<DEPRECIATION>                                  22,324
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 128,407
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           21,752
<BONDS>                                          2,916
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                              118
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                      92,540
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   128,407
<SALES>                                         67,691
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                68,268
<CGS>                                           51,097
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   67,134
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   873
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  64
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    197
<INCOME-TAX>                                        93
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                104
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       104
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.01
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.01