<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FORM 10-Q
FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 1996 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-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1996
<CASH>                                          41,865
<SECURITIES>                                       100
<RECEIVABLES>                                   85,322
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (3,564)
<INVENTORY>                                     55,126
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               224,385
<PP&E>                                         127,599
<DEPRECIATION>                                (49,549)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 531,170
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          146,030
<BONDS>                                         83,655
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        12,671
<OTHER-SE>                                     200,312
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   531,170
<SALES>                                         99,763
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               167,461
<CGS>                                           68,590
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  109,703
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   459
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,931
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 21,378
<INCOME-TAX>                                     7,974
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             12,197
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    12,197
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.24
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.24