<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