<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE FORM 10-Q FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1997 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> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1997 <PERIOD-END> MAR-31-1997 <CASH> 10,862 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 0 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 0 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 0 <PP&E> 783,796 <DEPRECIATION> 154,065 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 767,557 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 0 <BONDS> 389,139 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 28,708 <OTHER-SE> 309,064 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 767,557 <SALES> 0 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 30,867 <CGS> 0 <TOTAL-COSTS> 7,252 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 1,781 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 6,762 <INCOME-PRETAX> 17,119 <INCOME-TAX> 0 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 17,119 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 17,119 <EPS-PRIMARY> 0.60 <EPS-DILUTED> 0.60