<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET OF GEO SPECIALTY CHEMICALS, INC. AS OF MARCH 31, 2000 AND THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS FOR THE FIRST THREE MONTHS OF 2000. EXCEPT FOR THE DATES AND EPS NUMBERS, ALL OTHER AMOUNTS ARE IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS. </LEGEND> <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-2000 <PERIOD-END> MAR-31-2000 <CASH> $9,661 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 27,208 <ALLOWANCES> 249 <INVENTORY> 21,012 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 60,317 <PP&E> 115,864 <DEPRECIATION> 20,027 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 198,363 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 21,297 <BONDS> 120,000 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 0 <OTHER-SE> 21,495 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 198,363 <SALES> 41,830 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 41,830 <CGS> 32,483 <TOTAL-COSTS> 37,995 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 252 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 3,734 <INCOME-PRETAX> (151) <INCOME-TAX> (21) <INCOME-CONTINUING> (130) <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (130) <EPS-BASIC> ($955.88) <EPS-DILUTED> ($955.88)