<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION FROM FORM 10-Q FOR THE
QUARTER ENDED JUNE 30, 1996 FOR CHEMED CORPORATION AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000019584
<NAME> CHEMED CORPORATION
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1996
<CASH>                                          32,255
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   90,441
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (3,083)
<INVENTORY>                                     55,226
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               214,927
<PP&E>                                         131,695
<DEPRECIATION>                                (51,796)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 519,908
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          139,350
<BONDS>                                         81,969
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        12,681
<OTHER-SE>                                     198,572
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   519,908
<SALES>                                        199,642
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               337,932
<CGS>                                          136,703
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  220,079
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   712
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               3,831
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 32,689
<INCOME-TAX>                                    12,211
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             17,885
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    17,885
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.82
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.82