<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE FORM
10-Q FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1998 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-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1998
<CASH>                                           2,089
<SECURITIES>                                         0
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<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
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<PP&E>                                       1,081,238
<DEPRECIATION>                                 184,295
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,109,083
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                        591,236
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                     57,810
<COMMON>                                        30,963
<OTHER-SE>                                     371,478
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,109,083
<SALES>                                              0
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<CGS>                                                0
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<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 5,549
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              16,436
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 35,205
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
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<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.07
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