<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