<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE FORM 
10-Q FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS 
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000765880
<NAME> HEALTH CARE PROPERTY INVESTORS, INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                          17,209
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                        0
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                         753,739
<DEPRECIATION>                                 142,165
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 758,836
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                        379,807
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        28,666
<OTHER-SE>                                     309,406
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   758,836
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                89,406
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   19,398
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 5,150
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              19,638
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 45,220
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             45,220
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    45,220
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.58
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.58