<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, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1998
<CASH>                                           1,133
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   25,329
<ALLOWANCES>                                    (2,443)
<INVENTORY>                                      2,783
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                50,534
<PP&E>                                          15,607
<DEPRECIATION>                                 (10,425)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 162,682
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           59,061
<BONDS>                                         44,097
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                         27
<COMMON>                                           120
<OTHER-SE>                                      69,413
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   162,682
<SALES>                                         32,627
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                32,627
<CGS>                                           16,367
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   12,596
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   392
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 721
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  2,303
<INCOME-TAX>                                       875
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              1,428
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     1,428
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.12
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.12