<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM CHATTEM,
INC.'S AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          NOV-30-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             DEC-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               NOV-30-1997
<CASH>                                             508
<SECURITIES>                                     4,349
<RECEIVABLES>                                   28,570
<ALLOWANCES>                                       600
<INVENTORY>                                     14,493
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                48,872
<PP&E>                                          28,825
<DEPRECIATION>                                  17,837
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 178,744
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           34,452
<BONDS>                                        142,394
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         1,945
<OTHER-SE>                                       2,425
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   178,744
<SALES>                                        143,236
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               143,236
<CGS>                                           38,263
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  117,732
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              15,834
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 11,249
<INCOME-TAX>                                     3,993
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              7,255
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                (1,370)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     5,886
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .65
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .65