<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FORM 10-Q OF THE
CHEMED CORPORATION FOR THE QUARTER ENDED JUNE 30, 1999 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-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1999
<CASH>                                          22,574
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   52,875
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (3,425)
<INVENTORY>                                      9,652
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<PP&E>                                         118,964
<DEPRECIATION>                                (49,251)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 417,887
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           88,013
<BONDS>                                         79,770
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<OTHER-SE>                                     201,762
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   417,887
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               213,489
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  131,137
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   155
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               3,101
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 17,234
<INCOME-TAX>                                     6,765
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             10,469
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
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<NET-INCOME>                                    10,469
<EPS-BASIC>                                       1.00
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