<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FORM 10-Q
FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 1995 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-31-1995
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1995
<CASH>                                           1,552
<SECURITIES>                                    29,540
<RECEIVABLES>                                   85,758
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (3,260)
<INVENTORY>                                     60,678
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               192,523
<PP&E>                                         119,472
<DEPRECIATION>                                (42,446)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 510,988
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          142,005
<BONDS>                                         90,975
<COMMON>                                        12,414
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                     179,302
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   510,988
<SALES>                                        108,598
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               169,858
<CGS>                                           74,607
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  112,766
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   520
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,103
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 10,242
<INCOME-TAX>                                     3,814
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              5,385
<DISCONTINUED>                                     901
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     6,286
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .64
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .64