<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK> 0000353230
<NAME> OMNICARE, INC.
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                          98,696
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  220,990
<ALLOWANCES>                                    13,225
<INVENTORY>                                     83,111
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               413,785
<PP&E>                                         120,826
<DEPRECIATION>                                  41,650
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,171,722
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          130,645
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        81,536
<OTHER-SE>                                     675,481
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,171,722
<SALES>                                        612,718
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               612,718
<CGS>                                          435,261
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  435,261
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               111,062
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 4,340
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,460
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 68,948
<INCOME-TAX>                                    29,530
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             39,418
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    39,418
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .49
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .49