<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE FORM
10-Q FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 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>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                                           3,356
<SECURITIES>                                         0
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<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                         845,432
<DEPRECIATION>                                 159,596
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 816,589
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                        443,265
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        28,714
<OTHER-SE>                                     307,124
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   816,589
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                62,618
<CGS>                                                0
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<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 3,636
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              13,960
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 32,513
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             32,513
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<NET-INCOME>                                    32,513
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.13
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.13