<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FORM 10-Q
FOR THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 3O, 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>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1995
<CASH>                                           9,270
<SECURITIES>                                    24,902
<RECEIVABLES>                                   89,346
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (3,391)
<INVENTORY>                                     58,684
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               220,165
<PP&E>                                         120,251
<DEPRECIATION>                                (45,527)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 530,478
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          150,790
<BONDS>                                         88,002
<COMMON>                                        12,495
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                     192,443
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   530,478
<SALES>                                        337,900
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               524,756
<CGS>                                          233,904
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  349,139
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 1,401
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               6,339
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 32,040
<INCOME-TAX>                                    12,220
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             16,398
<DISCONTINUED>                                   2,743
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    19,141
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.94
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.94