<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FORM 10-K 
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995 FOR ROTO-ROOTER, INC. AND IS QUALIFIED IN 
ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000755548
<NAME> ROTO-ROOTER, INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1995
<CASH>                                          15,324
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    7,666
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,050
<INVENTORY>                                      7,823
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                54,615
<PP&E>                                          43,742
<DEPRECIATION>                                  18,621
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 149,869
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           54,731
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         5,413
<OTHER-SE>                                      69,573
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   149,869
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               179,722
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  108,778
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   672
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 984
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 16,837
<INCOME-TAX>                                     7,074
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              9,677
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     9,677
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.88
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.87