<ARTICLE> 5 <CIK> 0000353230 <NAME> OMNICARE, INC. <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1996 <PERIOD-END> MAR-31-1996 <CASH> 311,668 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 89,416 <ALLOWANCES> 5,746 <INVENTORY> 34,121 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 441,825 <PP&E> 57,752 <DEPRECIATION> 21,019 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 650,342 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 45,136 <BONDS> 82,298 <COMMON> 32,379 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <OTHER-SE> 479,478 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 511,857 <SALES> 117,185 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 117,185 <CGS> 83,553 <TOTAL-COSTS> 83,553 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 19,433 <LOSS-PROVISION> 1,279 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 1,320 <INCOME-PRETAX> 13,439 <INCOME-TAX> 5,310 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 8,129 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 8,129 <EPS-PRIMARY> .29 <EPS-DILUTED> .27