<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS FINANCIAL INFROMATION EXTRACTED FROM FORM 10-Q OF CHEMED
CORPORATION FOR THE QUARTER ENDED JUNE 30, 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-END>                               JUN-30-1998
<CASH>                                          54,027
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   47,123
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (2,815)
<INVENTORY>                                      9,153
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               164,656
<PP&E>                                          97,423
<DEPRECIATION>                                (40,903)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 435,682
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           90,568
<BONDS>                                         82,093
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        13,138
<OTHER-SE>                                     208,392
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   435,682
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               183,355
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  114,237
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   572
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               3,599
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 19,337
<INCOME-TAX>                                     7,520
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             11,817
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    11,817
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.18
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.17