<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM CHIREX INC.'S FIRST 
QUARTER 1999 FORM 10-Q AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH 
FORM 10-Q.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1999
<CASH>                                          17,564
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   20,099
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     30,205
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 6,440
<PP&E>                                         174,418
<DEPRECIATION>                                  20,431
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 258,174
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           46,128
<BONDS>                                         42,934
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           148
<OTHER-SE>                                     148,909
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   258,174
<SALES>                                         34,080
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                34,180
<CGS>                                         (22,799)
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  (4,646)
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             (2,021)
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  4,423
<INCOME-TAX>                                   (1,516)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              2,907
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     2,907
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.24
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.23