<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