<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM CHIREX INC.
DECEMBER 31, 1997 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FILED ON FORM 10-K AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FORM 10-K.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                           5,347
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   18,811
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     23,225
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 3,774
<PP&E>                                         137,894
<DEPRECIATION>                                  17,139
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 203,067
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           28,009
<BONDS>                                         69,675
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           118  
<OTHER-SE>                                      92,977
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   203,067
<SALES>                                         93,362
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                94,100
<CGS>                                           71,440
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   92,869
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 1,164
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,052
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  (985)
<INCOME-TAX>                                     (335)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              (650)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     (650)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (0.06)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.06)