<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE MULTICARE
COMPANIES, INC. FORM 10-Q QUARTERLY REPORT FOR THE THREE-MONTH PERIOD ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                           1,564
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  129,472
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               173,036
<PP&E>                                         717,685
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,721,848
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          134,312
<BONDS>                                        751,187
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                     746,358
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,721,848
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               185,778
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  141,343
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                11,784
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              14,718
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  2,845
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,487
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              1,358
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     1,358
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0