UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                   FORM 12b-25
                                                                 SEC FILE NUMBER
                                                                    CUSIP NUMBER
                           NOTIFICATION OF LATE FILING

(Check One): [ ] Form 10K  [ ] Form 20-F  [ ] Form 11-K  [X] Form 10-Q
             [ ] Form N-SAR


For Period Ended____________________________

[ ] Transition Report on Form 10-K
[ ] Transition Report on Form 20-K
[ ] Transition Report on Form 11-K
[ ] Transition Report on Form 10-Q
[ ] Transition Report on Form N-SAR
For the Transition Period Ended:________________________________________________


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Read Instruction (on back page) Before Preparing Form. Please Print or Type.
Nothing in this form shall be construed to imply that the commission has
verified any information contained herein
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If the information relates to a portion of the filing checked above, identify
the Item(s) to which the notification relates:

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PART 1: REGISTRANT INFORMATION

Genesis Health Ventures, Inc.
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Full Name of Registrant


Not Applicable
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Former Name If Applicable


101 East State Street
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Address of Principal Executive Office (Street and Number)


Kennett Square, Pennsylvania 19348-3021
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City, State, and Zip Code


PART II-Rules 12b-25(b) AND (c)

If the subject report could not be filed without unreasonable effort or expense
and the registrant seeks relief pursuant to Rule 12b-25(b), the following should
be completed. (Check box if appropriate)

[x] (a) The reasons described in reasonable detail in Part III of this form
could not be eliminated without unreasonable effort or expense:

[ ] (b) The subject annual report, semi annual report, transition report Form
10-K, Form 20-F, 11-K or Form N-SAR, or portion thereof, will be filed on or
before the fifteenth calendar day following the prescribed due date; or the
subject quarterly report of transition report on Form 10-Q or portion thereof
will be filed on or before the fifth calendar day following the prescribed due
date; and




[ ] (c) the accountant's statement or other exhibit required by rule 12b-25(c)
has been attached if applicable.

Part III-Narrative

State below in reasonable detail the reasons why Forms 10-K, 20-F, 11-K, 10-Q,
N-SAR or the transition report or portion thereof, could not be filed within
the prescribed time period.

THE FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2000 COULD NOT BE FILED WITHIN
THE PRESCRIBED PERIOD BECAUSE THE COMPANY WAS UNABLE TO COMPLETE CERTAIN
INFORMATION KEY TO FILING A TIMELY AND ACCURATE REPORT ON THE FINANCIAL
CONDITION OF THE COMPANY. SUCH INABILITY COULD NOT HAVE BEEN ELIMINATED BY THE
COMPANY WITHOUT UNREASONABLE EFFORT OR EXPENSE.

Part IV-Other Information

(1) Name and Telephone number of person to contact in regard to this
notification

GEORGE V. HAGER JR.       (610)             444-6350
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(Name)                 (Area Code)     (Telephone Number)


(2) Have all other periodic reports required under section 13 or 15 (d) of the
    Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or Section 30 of the Investment Company Act
    of 1940 during the preceding 12 months for such period that the registrant
    was required to file such report(s) been filed? I answer is no identify
    report (s)

    FORM 10-K FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2000  [ ] Yes  [x] No
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(3) Is it anticipated that any significant change in the results of operations
    from the corresponding period for the last fiscal year will be reflected by
    the earnings statements to be included in the subject report or portion
    thereof? [x] Yes [ ] No

    If so attach an explanation of the anticipated change, both narratively and
    quantitatively, and, if appropriate, state the reasons why a reasonable
    estimate of the results cannot be made.


    The Company's filings under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code
    have resulted in approximately $13 million of debt restructuring and
    reorganization costs in the quarter ended December 31, 2000 as compared to
    the same period in the prior year. In addition, the Company has reduced
    interest expense approximately $27 million, principally due to the fact that
    certain unsecured and under secured loans are not accruing interest as a
    result of the Company's Chapter 11 filings. This reduction is offset by
    growth in interest expense of approximately $9 million due to additional
    borrowings and higher rates of interest on certain loans for which the
    Company is accruing interest.
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                          Genesis Health Ventures, Inc.
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                  Name of (Registrant as Specified in Charter)


    has caused this notification to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned
    hereunto duly authorized


    Date  FEBRUARY 14, 2001         By  /S/   GEORGE V. HAGER, JR.
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    INSTRUCTION: The form may be signed by an executive officer of the
    registrant or by any other dully authorized representative. The name and
    title of the person signing the form shall be typed or printed beneath the
    signature. If the statement is signed on behalf of the registrant by an
    authorized representative (other than the executive officer), evidence of
    the representative's authority to sign on behalf of the registrant shall be
    filed with the form.

    _________________________________ATTENTION__________________________________

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    Intentional misstatements or omissions of fact constitute Federal Criminal
    Violations (See 18 U.S.C. -- 1001)
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