<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION FROM FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED JUNE 30, 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> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1997 <PERIOD-START> APR-01-1997 <PERIOD-END> JUN-30-1997 <CASH> 12,361 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 89,796 <ALLOWANCES> (3,812) <INVENTORY> 50,778 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 203,981 <PP&E> 152,188 <DEPRECIATION> (61,659) <TOTAL-ASSETS> 563,013 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 124,512 <BONDS> 164,026 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 12,868 <OTHER-SE> 205,072 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 563,013 <SALES> 196,099 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 351,269 <CGS> 132,946 <TOTAL-COSTS> 229,283 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 587 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 5,802 <INCOME-PRETAX> 23,209 <INCOME-TAX> 8,697 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 14,181 <DISCONTINUED> 598 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 14,779 <EPS-PRIMARY> 1.48 <EPS-DILUTED> 1.48