<ARTICLE> 5 <CIK> 0001004990 <NAME> NCS HEALTHCARE <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> JUN-30-2000 <PERIOD-START> JUL-01-1999 <PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1999 <CASH> 13,526 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 194,170 <ALLOWANCES> 37,062 <INVENTORY> 46,486 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 261,151 <PP&E> 95,628 <DEPRECIATION> 41,999 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 648,277 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 281,659 <BONDS> 306,112 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 209 <OTHER-SE> 248,409 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 648,277 <SALES> 363,514 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 363,514 <CGS> 285,790 <TOTAL-COSTS> 285,790 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 3,485 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 14,055 <INCOME-PRETAX> (38,575) <INCOME-TAX> (8,796) <INCOME-CONTINUING> (29,779) <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (29,779) <EPS-BASIC> (1.45) <EPS-DILUTED> (1.45)