<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF RESPONSE ONCOLOGY, INC. FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 
JUNE 30, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                  1,000
<CASH>                                           3,429
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   18,539
<ALLOWANCES>                                    (2,446)
<INVENTORY>                                      2,512
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                40,641
<PP&E>                                          12,692
<DEPRECIATION>                                   9,020
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 149,452
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           16,538
<BONDS>                                         45,866
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                         27
<COMMON>                                           120
<OTHER-SE>                                      64,052
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   149,452
<SALES>                                         25,642
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                25,642
<CGS>                                           12,413
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    9,853
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   423
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 792
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  1,956
<INCOME-TAX>                                       744
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              1,212
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     1,212
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .10
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0