<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>

This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from Gentiva
Health Services, Inc. and Subsidiaries Consolidated Balance Sheet at October 1,
2000 and Gentiva Health Services, Inc. and Subsidiaries Consolidated Statement
of Income for the quarter ended October 1, 2000 and is qualified in its entirety
by reference to such financial statements.


<MULTIPLIER>                                   1,000

                                            
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                  3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              JAN-02-2000
<PERIOD-END>                                   OCT-01-2000
<CASH>                                              3,106
<SECURITIES>                                            0
<RECEIVABLES>                                     559,563
<ALLOWANCES>                                      112,070
<INVENTORY>                                        72,908
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                  561,507
<PP&E>                                            134,955
<DEPRECIATION>                                     92,468
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                    853,617
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                             258,076
<BONDS>                                                 0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                   0
<PREFERRED>                                             0
<COMMON>                                            2,081
<OTHER-SE>                                        532,798
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                      853,617
<SALES>                                           380,325
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                  380,325
<CGS>                                             262,160
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                     262,160
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                  125,663
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                  120,267
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  2,270
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  (130,035)
<INCOME-TAX>                                          311
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              (130,346)
<DISCONTINUED>                                          0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                         0
<CHANGES>                                               0
<NET-INCOME>                                     (130,346)
<EPS-BASIC>                                         (6.30)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                       (6.30)