<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-30-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             DEC-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               AUG-31-1999
<CASH>                                          10,575
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   51,554
<ALLOWANCES>                                       850
<INVENTORY>                                     23,700
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                89,079
<PP&E>                                          41,426
<DEPRECIATION>                                  19,334
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 488,312
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           72,937
<BONDS>                                        363,641
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         2,045
<OTHER-SE>                                      40,897
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   488,312
<SALES>                                        224,830
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               224,830
<CGS>                                           59,719
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  171,247
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              27,370
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 26,558
<INCOME-TAX>                                    10,028
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             16,530
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                (2,833)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    13,697
<EPS-BASIC>                                       1.41
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.36