<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>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          NOV-30-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             DEC-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAY-31-1998
<CASH>                                           8,463
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   45,327
<ALLOWANCES>                                       600
<INVENTORY>                                     20,503
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                76,270
<PP&E>                                          36,005
<DEPRECIATION>                                  18,681
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 373,047
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           48,418
<BONDS>                                        303,401
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         1,968
<OTHER-SE>                                      13,633
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   373,047
<SALES>                                         93,466
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                93,466
<CGS>                                           25,536
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   75,818
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              11,512
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 17,013
<INCOME-TAX>                                     6,335
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             10,678
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                (1,901)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     8,777
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .96
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .92