<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE COMPANY'S
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS INCLUDED IN THIS QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q AND IS 
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0001005407
<NAME> CHIREX INC
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> US DOLLARS
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1996
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                           5,812
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   11,770
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     20,124
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 2,283
<PP&E>                                         127,874
<DEPRECIATION>                                  69,414
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 127,005
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           21,461
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           108
<OTHER-SE>                                      83,512
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   127,005
<SALES>                                         28,961
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                29,566
<CGS>                                           24,031
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   24,031
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                13,893
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 422
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (9,222)
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,212
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (10,434)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (10,434)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (1.31)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.00