<ARTICLE> 5 <CIK> 0000353230 <NAME> OMNICARE, INC. <MULTIPLIER> 1 <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1998 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1998 <PERIOD-END> JUN-30-1998 <CASH> 68,723 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 340,088 <ALLOWANCES> 20,397 <INVENTORY> 93,074 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 518,501 <PP&E> 177,020 <DEPRECIATION> 63,719 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,471,406 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 188,575 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 89,438 <OTHER-SE> 798,794 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 1,471,406 <SALES> 698,452 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 698,452 <CGS> 488,551 <TOTAL-COSTS> 488,551 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 149,158 <LOSS-PROVISION> 5,393 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 9,206 <INCOME-PRETAX> 53,960 <INCOME-TAX> 25,448 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 28,512 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 28,512 <EPS-PRIMARY> .32 <EPS-DILUTED> .32