<ARTICLE> 5 <CIK> 0000353230 <NAME> OMNICARE, INC. <PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1995 <PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1995 <CASH> 40,137 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 85,008 <ALLOWANCES> 4,761 <INVENTORY> 28,841 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 161,072 <PP&E> 51,494 <DEPRECIATION> 19,036 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 360,836 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 54,688 <BONDS> 82,692 <COMMON> 26,345 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <OTHER-SE> 188,416 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 360,836 <SALES> 399,636 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 399,636 <CGS> 287,715 <TOTAL-COSTS> 287,715 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 68,262 <LOSS-PROVISION> 3,086 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 5,954 <INCOME-PRETAX> 41,180 <INCOME-TAX> 16,420 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 24,760 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 24,760 <EPS-PRIMARY> .94 <EPS-DILUTED> .86