<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION FROM FORM 10-Q FOR THE
QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 1997 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-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                          17,797
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   82,690
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (2,971)
<INVENTORY>                                     51,429
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               199,312
<PP&E>                                         143,544
<DEPRECIATION>                                (59,360)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 548,635
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          123,929
<BONDS>                                        158,092
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        12,858
<OTHER-SE>                                     200,078
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   548,635
<SALES>                                         94,932
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               168,552
<CGS>                                           64,311
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  109,415
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   183
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,756
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 13,926
<INCOME-TAX>                                     5,333
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              8,487
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     8,487
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .85
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .85