<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from Chattem,
Inc.'s unaudited financial statements and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          NOV-30-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             DEC-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               AUG-31-1997
<CASH>                                           2,489
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   26,799
<ALLOWANCES>                                       400
<INVENTORY>                                     15,364
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                47,815
<PP&E>                                          27,798
<DEPRECIATION>                                  17,566
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 174,372
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           27,009
<BONDS>                                        139,395
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         2,104
<OTHER-SE>                                         116
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   174,372
<SALES>                                        106,033
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               106,033
<CGS>                                           29,382
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   86,176
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              11,838
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  9,369
<INCOME-TAX>                                     3,329
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              6,040
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                (1,370)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     4,670
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.52
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.52