<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION FROM FORM 10-Q FOR THE
QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 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>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                         131,495
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   39,708
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (2,617)
<INVENTORY>                                      8,706
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               206,619
<PP&E>                                          84,463
<DEPRECIATION>                                (34,308)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 495,479
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          135,072
<BONDS>                                         90,339
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        12,923
<OTHER-SE>                                     214,314
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   495,479
<SALES>                                         12,879
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               251,110
<CGS>                                            8,958
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  156,610
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   330
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               8,476
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 21,756
<INCOME-TAX>                                     8,329
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             13,427
<DISCONTINUED>                                  13,160
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    26,587
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.65
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.65