<ARTICLE> 5 <CIK> 0000353230 <NAME> OMNICARE, INC. <MULTIPLIER> 1 <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1997 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1997 <PERIOD-END> MAR-31-1997 <CASH> 129,063 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 148,484 <ALLOWANCES> 7,038 <INVENTORY> 71,242 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 361,859 <PP&E> 94,971 <DEPRECIATION> 31,892 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 796,617 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 82,127 <BONDS> 1,383 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 79,498 <OTHER-SE> 631,627 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 796,617 <SALES> 181,608 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 181,608 <CGS> 128,903 <TOTAL-COSTS> 128,903 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 30,570 <LOSS-PROVISION> 1,360 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 290 <INCOME-PRETAX> 22,669 <INCOME-TAX> 9,226 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 13,443 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 13,443 <EPS-PRIMARY> .17 <EPS-DILUTED> .17