<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FORM 8-K OF
CHEMED CORPORATION FOR THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2000 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000019584
<NAME> CHEMED CORPORATION
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-2000
<CASH> 8,153
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 58,561
<ALLOWANCES> (4,532)
<INVENTORY> 10,540
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 105,618
<PP&E> 135,803
<DEPRECIATION> (62,662)
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 423,380
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 100,073
<BONDS> 68,516
15,067
0
<COMMON> 13,889
<OTHER-SE> 194,494
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 423,380
<SALES> 0
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 370,533
<CGS> 0
<TOTAL-COSTS> 224,539
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 1,202
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 5,233
<INCOME-PRETAX> 25,575
<INCOME-TAX> 9,925
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 15,650
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 15,650
<EPS-BASIC> 1.59
<EPS-DILUTED> 1.57
</TABLE>