<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM
FORM 10Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 1994 FOR CHEMED CORPORATION
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000019584
<NAME> CHEMED CORPORATION
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1994
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1994
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1994
<CASH>                                          12,833
<SECURITIES>                                     1,095
<RECEIVABLES>                                   75,901
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (2,512)
<INVENTORY>                                     53,805
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               159,707
<PP&E>                                         108,760
<DEPRECIATION>                                (35,331)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 475,319
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          139,864
<BONDS>                                        110,255
<COMMON>                                        12,190
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                     138,487
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   475,319
<SALES>                                         97,585
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               152,069
<CGS>                                           67,120
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  101,158
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   418
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,047
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  9,936
<INCOME-TAX>                                     4,047
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              5,677
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     5,677
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .58
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .58