<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL 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>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                           3,511
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   10,805
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     20,286
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 2,003
<PP&E>                                         128,878
<DEPRECIATION>                                  71,504
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 122,247
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           17,647
<BONDS>                                              0
<COMMON>                                           108
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                      84,266
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   122,247
<SALES>                                         49,298
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                50,128
<CGS>                                           41,580
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   41,580
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                15,724
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 589
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (8,197)
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,254
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (9,451)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (9,451)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (1.05)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.00