<ARTICLE> 5 <CIK> 0000353230 <NAME> OMNICARE, INC. <MULTIPLIER> 1 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1996 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1996 <PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1996 <CASH> 251,399 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 106,443 <ALLOWANCES> 5,939 <INVENTORY> 39,896 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 407,778 <PP&E> 75,515 <DEPRECIATION> 25,848 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 694,054 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 58,162 <BONDS> 75,913 <COMMON> 66,130 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <OTHER-SE> 477,205 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 694,054 <SALES> 379,751 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 379,751 <CGS> 270,402 <TOTAL-COSTS> 270,402 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 63,285 <LOSS-PROVISION> 2,882 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 3,670 <INCOME-PRETAX> 50,619 <INCOME-TAX> 20,281 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 30,338 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 30,338 <EPS-PRIMARY> .48 <EPS-DILUTED> .44