<ARTICLE> 5 <CIK> 0000353230 <NAME> OMNICARE, INC. <PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1997 <PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1997 <CASH> 131,042 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 241,646 <ALLOWANCES> 15,872 <INVENTORY> 87,186 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 471,964 <PP&E> 126,278 <DEPRECIATION> 42,204 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,289,629 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 128,110 <BONDS> 352,579 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 82,255 <OTHER-SE> 691,941 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 1,289,629 <SALES> 895,702 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 895,702 <CGS> 636,577 <TOTAL-COSTS> 636,577 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 161,830 <LOSS-PROVISION> 6,942 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 5,564 <INCOME-PRETAX> 96,790 <INCOME-TAX> 41,085 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 55,705 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 55,705 <EPS-PRIMARY> .70 <EPS-DILUTED> .69