[ARTICLE] 5
[LEGEND]
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED JUNE 30, 1996 FOR ROTO-ROOTER, INC. AND
IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
[/LEGEND]
[CIK] 0000755548
[NAME] ROTO-ROOTER, INC.
[MULTIPLIER] 1,000

                             
[PERIOD-TYPE]                   6-MOS
[FISCAL-YEAR-END]                          DEC-31-1995
[PERIOD-START]                             JAN-01-1996
[PERIOD-END]                               JUN-30-1996
[CASH]                                          17,306
[SECURITIES]                                         0
[RECEIVABLES]                                    8,244
[ALLOWANCES]                                   (1,039)
[INVENTORY]                                      8,497
[CURRENT-ASSETS]                                58,318
[PP&E]                                          45,972
[DEPRECIATION]                                (20,816)
[TOTAL-ASSETS]                                 154,083
[CURRENT-LIABILITIES]                           58,416
[BONDS]                                              0
[PREFERRED-MANDATORY]                                0
[PREFERRED]                                          0
[COMMON]                                         5,488
[OTHER-SE]                                      73,618
[TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY]                   154,083
[SALES]                                              0
[TOTAL-REVENUES]                                97,821
[CGS]                                                0
[TOTAL-COSTS]                                   89,033
[OTHER-EXPENSES]                                     0
[LOSS-PROVISION]                                     0
[INTEREST-EXPENSE]                               (439)
[INCOME-PRETAX]                                  9,365
[INCOME-TAX]                                     3,916
[INCOME-CONTINUING]                              5,344
[DISCONTINUED]                                       0
[EXTRAORDINARY]                                      0
[CHANGES]                                            0
[NET-INCOME]                                     5,344
[EPS-PRIMARY]                                     1.03
[EPS-DILUTED]                                     1.02