<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM ChiRex Inc.'s second
quarter 2000 Form 10-Q AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
Form 10-Q
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0001005407
<NAME> CHIREX INC
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> US DOLLARS
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-END> JUN-30-2000
<EXCHANGE-RATE> 1.51
<CASH> 5,141
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 20,203
<ALLOWANCES> 0
<INVENTORY> 24,207
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 5,736
<PP&E> 164,671
<DEPRECIATION> 3,669
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 246,820
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 41,883
<BONDS> 31,710
0
0
<COMMON> 153
<OTHER-SE> 152,164
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 246,820
<SALES> 32,544
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 32,702
<CGS> (24,038)
<TOTAL-COSTS> 5,861
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> (883)
<INCOME-PRETAX> 1,539
<INCOME-TAX> (498)
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 1,041
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 1,041
<EPS-BASIC> 0.07
<EPS-DILUTED> 0.07
</TABLE>