<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF RESPONSE ONCOLOGY, INC. FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, 1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1999
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                           7,076
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   21,550
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,833
<INVENTORY>                                      3,143
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                51,139
<PP&E>                                          16,457
<DEPRECIATION>                                  11,980
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 123,224
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           30,117
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                         27
<COMMON>                                           120
<OTHER-SE>                                      50,471
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   123,224
<SALES>                                        102,951
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               102,951
<CGS>                                           59,843
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  100,009
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 1,156
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,505
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  2,336
<INCOME-TAX>                                       888
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              1,448
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     1,448
<EPS-BASIC>                                        .12
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .12