<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE FORM 10-Q FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1998 AND IS QUALIFED 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-31-1998 <PERIOD-END> MAR-31-1998 <CASH> 3,185 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 0 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 0 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 0 <PP&E> 968,447 <DEPRECIATION> 177,196 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 966,189 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 0 <BONDS> 395,552 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 57,810 <COMMON> 30,246 <OTHER-SE> 352,351 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 966,189 <SALES> 0 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 36,334 <CGS> 0 <TOTAL-COSTS> 8,570 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 2,669 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 7,617 <INCOME-PRETAX> 17,478 <INCOME-TAX> 0 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 17,478 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 17,478 <EPS-PRIMARY> 0.54 <EPS-DILUTED> 0.54