<ARTICLE> 5 <CIK> 0001004990 <NAME> NCS HEALTHCARE <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> JUN-30-1999 <PERIOD-START> JUL-1-1998 <PERIOD-END> MAR-31-1999 <CASH> 24,014 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 209,310 <ALLOWANCES> 15,505 <INVENTORY> 50,609 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 285,669 <PP&E> 91,107 <DEPRECIATION> 34,715 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 705,798 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 73,456 <BONDS> 315,214 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 202 <OTHER-SE> 307,159 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 705,798 <SALES> 535,487 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 535,487 <CGS> 398,787 <TOTAL-COSTS> 398,787 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 1,712 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 14,375 <INCOME-PRETAX> 27,668 <INCOME-TAX> 11,700 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 15,968 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 15,968 <EPS-PRIMARY> .79 <EPS-DILUTED> .79