<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FORM 10-Q OF CHEMED
CORPORATION FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 1998 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-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998
<CASH>                                          72,820
<SECURITIES>                                         0
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<ALLOWANCES>                                   (2,684)
<INVENTORY>                                      8,917
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               179,786
<PP&E>                                          93,002
<DEPRECIATION>                                (38,514)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 452,567
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           97,711
<BONDS>                                         82,608
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        13,129
<OTHER-SE>                                     217,214
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   452,567
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                88,412
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   55,876
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   276
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             (1,758)
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 10,320
<INCOME-TAX>                                     4,069
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              6,251
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     6,251
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .63
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .62