<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE FORM 10-Q FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENT. </LEGEND> <CIK> 0000765880 <NAME> HEALTH CARE PROPERTY INVESTORS INC. <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1997 <PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1997 <CASH> 3,020 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 0 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 0 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 0 <PP&E> 862,155 <DEPRECIATION> 165,329 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 827,089 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 0 <BONDS> 393,627 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 57,810 <COMMON> 28,727 <OTHER-SE> 305,134 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 827,089 <SALES> 0 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 94,925 <CGS> 0 <TOTAL-COSTS> 21,922 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 5,511 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 21,407 <INCOME-PRETAX> 48,132 <INCOME-TAX> 0 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 48,132 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 48,132 <EPS-PRIMARY> 1.67 <EPS-DILUTED> 1.67