CONTACT: TIMOTHY S. O'TOOLE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE EXHIBIT 99 (513) 762-6702 CHEMED COMPLETES ACQUISITION OF ROTO-ROOTER CINCINNATI, September 17, 1996--Chemed Corporation (NYSE:CHE) announced today the completion of a merger between a newly formed Chemed subsidiary and Roto-Rooter Inc., thus concluding Chemed's acquisition of the outstanding stock of Roto-Rooter not held by Chemed. All shares of common stock of Roto-Rooter not previously purchased in Chemed's tender offer were converted in the merger into the right to receive the same $41.00 per share cash price paid in the tender offer by Chemed. Prior to the merger, Chemed owned approximately 97% of Roto-Rooter. Chemed Corporation, headquartered in Cincinnati, is a diversified public corporation with strategic positions in medical and dental supply manufacturing for the alternate-care and hospital markets, home healthcare services, and hospice care; plumbing, drain cleaning, and appliance and air-conditioning repair and maintenance through the sale of service contracts; and sanitary maintenance products and services. Roto-Rooter Inc., headquartered in Cincinnati, is the largest provider of sewer and drain cleaning services in the United States. ### E-1 Page 3 of 3