<ARTICLE>                                                                   5
<LEGEND>
(Replace this text with legend, if applicable)
</LEGEND>
<CIK>                                                              0000826682
<NAME>                             Meridian Healthcare Growth and Income Fund
<MULTIPLIER>                                                                1
<CURRENCY>                                                       U.S. DOLLARS

                                                   
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                                           3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                                 DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                                                     JAN-1-2000
<PERIOD-END>                                                      MAR-31-2000
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                                             1
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<INVENTORY>                                                                 0
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<PP&E>                                                                      0
<DEPRECIATION>                                                              0
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<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                            0
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<INCOME-TAX>                                                                0
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<DISCONTINUED>                                                              0
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<EPS-BASIC>                                                             0.330
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                           0.000