UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549
                                        
                                    FORM 8-K
                                 Current Report

                         Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
                     of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
                                        
                                        
                        Date of Report: October 22, 1996
                                        
                                        
                          THE MULTICARE COMPANIES, INC.
             (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
                                        
                                        
                          Commission File No.  34-22090
                                        
                                        

               Delaware                           22-3152527
       State or other jurisdiction of          (I.R.S. Employer
       incorporation or organization)          Identification Number)



        411 Hackensack Avenue
        Hackensack, New Jersey                       07601
        (Address of principal                       Zip Code
         executive offices)



        Registrant's telephone number, including area code (201) 488-8818


Item 5.        Other Events

Third Quarter Results

          On October 17, 1996, the Company announced in a press release its 1996
third  quarter  earnings.  A copy of the press release  is  attached  hereto  as
Exhibit 99 and is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 7.        Financial Statements and Exhibits

          (c)  Exhibits

               Exhibit 99     Press Release dated October 17, 1996.




                                    Signature

Pursuant  to  the  requirements of the Securities  Exchange  Act  of  1934,  the
Registrant  has  duly  caused this report to be signed  on  its  behalf  by  the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.


                                        The Multicare Companies, Inc.


                                        Bradford C. Burkett
                                        _____________________________
                                        Bradford C. Burkett

                                        Senior Vice President,
                                        General Counsel and Secretary



October 22, 1996