<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FORM 10-Q
FOR THE QUARTER ENDED JUNE 30, 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>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1994
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1994
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1994
<CASH>                                          10,397
<SECURITIES>                                     2,087
<RECEIVABLES>                                   80,434
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (2,688)
<INVENTORY>                                     54,945
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               163,405
<PP&E>                                         112,959
<DEPRECIATION>                                (36,737)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 472,794
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          135,749
<BONDS>                                        109,414
<COMMON>                                        12,250
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                     138,956
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   472,794
<SALES>                                        201,641
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               313,453
<CGS>                                          138,525
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  208,372
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   804
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               4,214
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 20,212
<INCOME-TAX>                                     8,389
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             11,358
<DISCONTINUED>                                   2,336
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    13,694
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.39
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.39