<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