<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK> 0001005407
<NAME> CHIREX INC
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> US DOLLARS
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                              JAN-1-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                           2,743
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   15,010
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     26,545
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 7,604
<PP&E>                                         122,907
<DEPRECIATION>                                  71,273
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 131,558
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           28,979
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           115
<OTHER-SE>                                      91,397
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   131,558
<SALES>                                         46,280
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                46,663
<CGS>                                           34,402
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   48,600
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  75
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (2,012)
<INCOME-TAX>                                     (516)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (1,496)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (1,496)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.13)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.13)