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                                 EXHIBIT 10.23


                    AMENDMENT NO. 4 TO EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
                    ---------------------------------------


         AGREEMENT dated as of November 4, 1994 between Patrick L. Johnson
("Employee") and Roto-Rooter, Inc. (the "Company").  
         WHEREAS, Employee and the Company have entered into an Employment 
Agreement dated November 1, 1990 ("Employment Agreement"); and 
         WHEREAS, Employee and the Company desire to amend the Employment 
Agreement in certain respects.  
         NOW, THEREFORE, Employee and the Company mutually agree that the 
Employment Agreement shall be amended, effective as of November 2, 1994 as 
follows:
         A.    The date of October 31, 1996 set forth in Section 1.2 of the
               Employment Agreement, is hereby deleted and the date of October
               31, 1997 is hereby substituted therefor.
         B.    The base salary amount of $154,800 per annum as set forth in the
               first sentence of Section 2.1 of the Employment Agreement is
               hereby deleted and the base salary amount of $160,500 per annum
               is hereby substituted therefor.
         Except as specifically amended by this Amendment No. 4 to Employment
Agreement, the Employment Agreement shall continue in full force and effect in
accordance with its original terms, conditions and provisions.
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         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have duly executed this amendatory
agreement as of the date first above written.




                                  EMPLOYEE



                                  /s/ Patrick L. Johnson
                                  -------------------------
                                  Patrick L. Johnson



                                  ROTO-ROOTER, INC.



                                  /s/ W. R. Griffin     
                                  -------------------------
                                  W. R. Griffin

/cgc