<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FORM 10-Q OF CHEMED
CORPORATION FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000019584
<NAME> CHEMED CORPORATION
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1999
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                    1.0
<CASH>                                          33,580
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   54,058
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (3,422)
<INVENTORY>                                      9,910
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               123,455
<PP&E>                                         110,175
<DEPRECIATION>                                (46,925)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 416,565
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           90,630
<BONDS>                                         81,063
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         13662
<OTHER-SE>                                     202,745
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   416,565
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               104,079
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   64,008
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    93
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,594
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  8,807
<INCOME-TAX>                                     3,462
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              5,355
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     5,355
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.51
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.51