<ARTICLE> 5 <CIK> 0001004990 <NAME> NCS HEALTHCARE <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> JUN-30-1999 <PERIOD-START> JUL-01-1998 <PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1999 <CASH> 21,341 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 198,023 <ALLOWANCES> 18,155 <INVENTORY> 50,545 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 267,773 <PP&E> 82,690 <DEPRECIATION> 31,732 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 679,789 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 75,548 <BONDS> 293,316 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 202 <OTHER-SE> 301,162 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 679,789 <SALES> 350,876 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 350,876 <CGS> 261,620 <TOTAL-COSTS> 261,620 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 573 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 9,575 <INCOME-PRETAX> 17,627 <INCOME-TAX> 7,533 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 10,094 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 10,094 <EPS-PRIMARY> .50 <EPS-DILUTED> .50