<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK> 0000353230
<NAME> OMNICARE, INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                                         102,995
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  162,185
<ALLOWANCES>                                     7,569
<INVENTORY>                                     67,997
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               346,780
<PP&E>                                         101,818
<DEPRECIATION>                                  35,004
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 817,166
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           75,589
<BONDS>                                              0
<COMMON>                                        80,354
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                     635,320
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   817,166
<SALES>                                        384,668
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               384,668
<CGS>                                          273,037
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  273,037
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                64,764
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 2,918
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 483
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 47,768
<INCOME-TAX>                                    19,187
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             28,581
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    28,581
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .36
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .36