<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF RESPONSE ONCOLOGY, INC. FOR THE 3 MONTHS PERIOD ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                              JUL-1-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                           1,505
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   18,896
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,777
<INVENTORY>                                      2,506
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                38,706
<PP&E>                                          12,996
<DEPRECIATION>                                   9,269
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 150,142
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           16,043
<BONDS>                                         43,511
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                         27
<COMMON>                                           120
<OTHER-SE>                                      65,123
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   150,142
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                25,710
<CGS>                                           15,350
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   23,079
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                    19
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   356
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 570
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  1,686
<INCOME-TAX>                                       641
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              1,045
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     1,045
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .09
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0