<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE FORM
10-Q FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 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>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1998
<CASH>                                          83,027
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                        0
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                       1,133,913
<DEPRECIATION>                                 188,796
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,239,292
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                        585,930
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                    187,847
<COMMON>                                        30,972
<OTHER-SE>                                     374,052
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,239,292
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               116,448
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   26,859
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 9,503
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              26,727
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 60,101
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             60,101
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    60,101
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.82
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.81