Question : extraction of objects from a sharepoint content database

is there a way / code / magic to extract the document objects like pictures and word or excel files out of a content database.

in the alternative, can I use the content database to stand the site back up. ie
 a "new site from content db" function?

Answer : extraction of objects from a sharepoint content database

The databases are just SQL, so you can certainly extract files out of them.  There are a number of utilities that have been created to do this such as this one:
http://blogs.msdn.com/krichie/archive/2005/07/15/439453.aspx

Jeff
TechSoEasy