<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION FROM FORM 10-Q FOR THE
QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 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>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                          13,793
<SECURITIES>                                       100
<RECEIVABLES>                                   83,680
<ALLOWANCES>                                    (3,014)
<INVENTORY>                                     52,808
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               183,329
<PP&E>                                         135,556
<DEPRECIATION>                                 (54,250)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 568,239
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          214,289
<BONDS>                                         80,563
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        12,700
<OTHER-SE>                                     201,782
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   568,239
<SALES>                                        302,529
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               511,647
<CGS>                                          207,245
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  333,416
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 1,154
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               6,072
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 40,777
<INCOME-TAX>                                    15,411
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             21,749
<DISCONTINUED>                                     600
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    22,349
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.27
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.27