Capital
Senior
Living
Corporation


For Immediate Release                                 Contact: Ralph A. Beattie
                                                                   972/770-5600

                        CAPITAL SENIOR LIVING CORPORATION
                 REPORTS FOURTH QUARTER AND FISCAL 2003 EARNINGS


DALLAS - (BUSINESS  WIRE) - March 2, 2003 - Capital  Senior  Living  Corporation
(NYSE:CSU), one of the country's largest operators of senior living communities,
announced  today its  operating  results for the fourth  quarter and fiscal year
2003.

Company  highlights  for the 2003  fiscal  year  include:

o    Net income of $5.0 million, or $0.25 diluted earnings per share
o    Cash earnings (net income plus depreciation) of $12.8 million
o    Adjusted EBITDA (income from operations plus depreciation and amortization)
     of $13.6 million
o    Completed  purchase of all remaining  interests in four Triad Senior Living
     partnerships which own 12 communities
o    Communities in lease-up (including the Spring Meadows properties) leased to
     85% versus 70% one year ago
o    Average occupancy rate on stabilized communities of 91%
o    Operating margins (before property taxes, insurance and management fees) of
     47% in independent and assisted living communities
o    Stabilized same community revenue increase of 3% versus the prior year
o    All community revenue increase of 13% versus the prior year
o    Retired $33.7 million of debt

The Company  reported  fourth quarter 2003 earnings of $0.4 million or $0.02 per
diluted share and full year earnings of $5.0 million or $0.25 per diluted share.
The full year earnings are comprised of approximately $0.20 per diluted share in
gains on the sales of assets  and  approximately  $0.05 per  diluted  share from
operations,  including the recognition of deferred income of approximately $0.10
per diluted share related to the  liquidation of the HealthCare  Properties,  LP
("HCP") partnership.

"We are  pleased  with  our  financial  performance  for  2003,  which  included
continued progress toward our goals of higher occupancy rates,  improved margins
and  retirement  of debt," said James A. Stroud,  Chairman of the Company.  "The
communities  in lease-up have made great strides toward  stabilization  in 2003,
and the acquisition of the 12 Triad communities has significantly contributed to
our top-line growth."





CAPITAL/Page 2


OPERATING AND FINANCIAL RESULTS

For the fourth quarter of 2003, the Company reported  revenues of $18.9 million,
compared to revenues of $14.2 million in the same period of 2002, an increase of
approximately  33%. The primary factor  contributing to the increase in revenues
was the acquisition of 12 Triad communities during the third quarter of 2003.

Adjusted  EBITDA  (defined  as income  from  operations  plus  depreciation  and
amortization) for the fourth quarter of 2003 was $2.8 million,  compared to $4.4
million in the fourth quarter of 2002,  with the reduction  primarily due to the
consolidation of the 12 Triad communities.

Other income in the fourth  quarter of 2003  included $3.4 million that resulted
from  the  recognition  of  deferred  income  upon  the  liquidation  of the HCP
partnership.  During 2003, HCP sold its remaining community and subsequently has
been dissolved, with its remaining assets transferred to a liquidating trust.

Net income for the fourth quarter was $0.4 million,  or $0.02 per diluted share.
Cash earnings for the fourth quarter  (defined as net income plus  depreciation)
were $3.0 million,  or $0.15 per diluted share,  compared to the prior year cash
earnings of $2.5 million, or $0.13 per diluted share.

For the year ended  December 31, 2003,  the Company  reported  revenues of $66.3
million,  compared to $61.5  million in the prior  year.  Net income in 2003 was
$5.0 million,  or $0.25 per diluted  share,  compared to 2002 net income of $4.7
million, or $0.24 per diluted share.

The Company generated 2003 cash earnings of $12.8 million,  or $0.64 per diluted
share,  compared to 2002 cash  earnings of $10.5  million,  or $0.53 per diluted
share.

As of December 31, 2003, the Company had $13.8 million of cash, cash equivalents
and restricted cash, and $124.4 million in shareholders'  equity,  equivalent to
approximately $6.27 per share of book value.

As of  December  31,  2003,  the  Company  adopted  FASB  Interpretation  No. 46
"Consolidation of Variable  Interest  Entities" and its adoption resulted in the
Company  consolidating  Triad I's  financial  position  as of that date and will
result in the Company  consolidating  Triad I's results of operations  beginning
January 1, 2004.

"Capital Senior Living celebrated a year of tremendous  accomplishment in 2003,"
said Lawrence A. Cohen,  Chief Executive  Officer.  "The year was highlighted by
continued  momentum in the lease-up rates of our Triad  communities,  one of our
key operating metrics.  Several initiatives we implemented last year contributed
to the  retirement  of debt,  provided  the basis for enhanced  organic  growth,
increased our liquidity and





CAPITAL/Page 3


simplified our balance sheet. These  initiatives,  combined with our offering of
common  stock in early 2004,  better  position us to grow in the future  through
joint venture investments in, and acquisitions of, senior living communities. We
are pleased with our  performance  for last year, and believe that we have built
the  foundation  for  improved  shareholder  value as we continue to execute our
business strategy."

4Q03 CONFERENCE CALL INFORMATION

The Company will host a conference  call with senior  management  to discuss the
Company's  fourth  quarter  2003  financial  results.  The call  will be held on
Wednesday, March 3, 2004 at 11:00 am Eastern Time.

The call-in number is 913-981-5509.  No confirmation number is required.  A link
to  a  simultaneous   webcast  of  the  teleconference   will  be  available  at
www.capitalsenior.com through Windows Media Player or RealPlayer.

For the convenience of the Company's shareholders and the public, the conference
call will be recorded and available for replay starting March 3, 2004 at 2:00 pm
Eastern  Time,  until  March 10,  2004 at 8:00 pm  Eastern  Time.  To access the
conference  call  replay,  call  719-457-0820,  confirmation  code  700492.  The
conference  call will also be made  available  for  playback  via the  Company's
corporate website,  www.capitalsenior.com,  and will be available until the next
earnings release date.

ABOUT THE COMPANY

Capital Senior Living  Corporation is one of the nation's  largest  operators of
residential  communities for senior adults. The Company's  operating  philosophy
emphasizes a continuum of care, which integrates  independent  living,  assisted
living and home care services,  to provide  residents the  opportunity to age in
place.

The Company currently operates 42 senior living communities in 20 states with an
aggregate capacity of approximately 6,900 residents,  including 41 senior living
communities  which the Company  owns or in which the  Company  has an  ownership
interest, and one community it manages for a third party.

This release  contains certain  financial  information not derived in accordance
with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), including adjusted EBITDA,
cash earnings and cash earnings per share. The Company believes this information
is useful to investors and other interested parties. Such information should not
be considered as a substitute for any measures  derived in accordance with GAAP,
and may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies.
Reconciliation  of this  information  to the most  comparable  GAAP  measures is
included as an attachment to this release.







CAPITAL/Page 4

The forward-looking  statements in this release are subject to certain risks and
uncertainties that could cause results to differ materially,  including, but not
without  limitation  to,  the  Company's  ability to find  suitable  acquisition
properties at favorable terms, financing,  licensing, business conditions, risks
of  downturns  in  economic  conditions   generally,   satisfaction  of  closing
conditions such as those  pertaining to licensure,  availability of insurance at
commercially   reasonable  rates,  and  changes  in  accounting  principles  and
interpretations  among others,  and other risks and factors identified from time
to time in our reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Contact Ralph A. Beattie,  Chief  Financial  Officer,  at  972-770-5600  or Matt
Hayden, Hayden Communications, Inc. at 760-487-1137 for more information.


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CAPITAL/ Page 5





                                                   CAPITAL SENIOR LIVING CORPORATION
                                                      CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                                                            (in thousands)




                                                                                       December 31,
                                                                                ---------------------------
                                                                                   2003            2002
                                                                                ------------    -----------
                                                                                          

                                              ASSETS

         Current assets:
           Cash and cash equivalents.....................................       $   6,594       $  11,768
           Restricted cash and marketable securities.....................           7,187           4,490
           Accounts receivable, net......................................           1,295           1,028
           Accounts receivable from affiliates...........................             604             651
           Federal and state income taxes receivable.....................             994           1,072
           Deferred taxes................................................             385             399
           Property tax and insurance deposits...........................           1,855           1,475
           Prepaid expenses and other....................................           2,437           1,164
                                                                                ------------    -----------
                   Total current assets..................................          21,351          22,047
         Property and equipment, net.....................................         380,115         153,544
         Deferred taxes..................................................           6,554           7,106
         Due from affiliates.............................................              --             513
         Notes receivable from affiliates................................           4,981          86,470
         Investments in limited partnerships.............................           1,762           1,238
         Assets held for sale............................................           2,391           4,131
         Other assets, net...............................................           4,179           3,202
                                                                                ------------    -----------
                   Total assets..........................................       $ 421,333       $ 278,251
                                                                                ============    ===========


                               LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

         Current liabilities:
           Accounts payable..............................................       $   2,158       $   2,322
           Accrued expenses..............................................           6,611           4,638
           Current portion of notes payable..............................          23,488           9,715
           Customer deposits.............................................           1,929           1,023
                                                                                ------------    -----------
                   Total current liabilities.............................          34,186          17,698
         Deferred income.................................................             112               7
         Deferred income from affiliates.................................             102           1,194
         Other long-term liabilities.....................................           6,736              --
         Notes payable, net of current portion...........................         255,549         140,385
         Minority interest in consolidated partnership...................             281             686
         Commitments and contingencies
         Shareholders' equity:
           Preferred stock, $.01 par value:
              Authorized shares -- 15,000; no shares issued or outstanding             --              --
           Common stock, $.01 par value:
              Authorized shares -- 65,000
              Issued and outstanding shares-- 19,847 and 19,737
                at December 31, 2003 and December 31, 2002, respectively.             198             197
           Additional paid-in capital....................................          92,336          91,990
           Retained earnings.............................................          31,833          26,094
                                                                                ------------    -----------
                   Total shareholders' equity............................         124,367         118,281
                                                                                ------------    -----------
                   Total liabilities and shareholders' equity............       $ 421,333       $ 278,251
                                                                                ============    ===========



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CAPITAL/ Page 6



                                                   CAPITAL SENIOR LIVING CORPORATION
                                                   CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                                                 (in thousands, except per share data)



                                                            Three Months Ended                   Year Ended
                                                               December 31,                       December 31,
                                                     --------------------------------- --------------------------------
                                                           2003             2002             2003             2002
                                                     ---------------- ---------------- ---------------- ----------------
                                                                                               
Revenues:
      Resident and healthcare revenue...........         $    18,074      $    13,265     $     62,564     $     57,574
      Rental and lease income...................                  --              --                --               37
      Unaffiliated management services revenue..                  41              233              336            1,069
      Affiliated management services revenue....                 769              599            3,236            2,062
      Affiliated development fees...............                  26               68              189              740
                                                     ---------------- ---------------- ---------------- ----------------
          Total revenues........................              18,910           14,165           66,325           61,482


Expenses:
      Operating expenses........................              12,331            7,049           40,208           32,851
      General and administrative expenses.......               3,762            2,764           12,511           11,824
      Depreciation and amortization.............               2,564            1,339            7,791            5,846
                                                     ---------------- ---------------- ---------------- ----------------
          Total expenses........................              18,657           11,152           60,510           50,521
                                                     ---------------- ---------------- ---------------- ----------------

Income from operations..........................                 253            3,013            5,815           10,961

Other income (expense):
      Interest income...........................                 416            1,584            4,278            5,968
      Interest expense..........................              (3,527)          (2,684)         (12,481)         (10,749)
      Gain (loss) on sale of assets.............                 148              (53)           6,751            1,876
      Other income..............................               3,474               24            3,616               69
                                                     ---------------- ---------------- ---------------- ----------------
Income before income taxes and minority interest in
      consolidated partnership..................                 764            1,884            7,979            8,125
Provision for income taxes......................                (315)            (888)          (3,098)          (3,015)
Income before minority interest in consolidated
      partnership...............................                 449              996            4,881            5,110
Minority interest in consolidated partnership...                  (7)             209              109             (428)
                                                     ---------------- ---------------- ---------------- ----------------
Net income......................................         $       442      $     1,205     $      4,990     $      4,682
                                                     ================ ================ ================ ================
Net income per share:
      Basic.....................................         $      0.02      $      0.06     $       0.25     $       0.24
                                                     ================ ================ ================ ================
      Diluted...................................         $      0.02      $      0.06     $       0.25     $       0.24
                                                     ================ ================ ================ ================
      Weighted average shares outstanding - basic             19,847           19,737           19,784           19,726
                                                     ================ ================ ================ ================
      Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted           20,133           19,822           19,975           19,917
                                                     ================ ================ ================ ================





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CAPITAL/Page 7







                                                   CAPITAL SENIOR LIVING CORPORATION
                                                    RECONCILATION OF NON GAAP ITEMS
                                               (in thousands, except per share amounts)



                                                            Three Months Ended                      Year Ended
                                                               December 31,                       December 31,
                                                     --------------------------------- --------------------------------
                                                           2003             2002             2003             2002
                                                     ---------------- ---------------- ---------------- ----------------
                                                       (Unaudited)      (Unaudited)      (Unaudited)      (Unaudited)
                                                                                              

Adjusted EBITDA reconciliation:

      Income from operations....................         $       253      $     3,013    $       5,815    $      10,961
      Depreciation and amortization.............               2,564            1,339            7,791            5,846
                                                     ---------------- ---------------- ---------------- ----------------
          Adjusted EBITDA.......................         $     2,817      $     4,352    $      13,606    $      16,807
                                                     ================ ================ ================ ================

Cash earnings reconciliation:

      Net income................................         $       442      $     1,205     $      4,990     $      4,682
      Depreciation and amortization.............               2,564            1,339            7,791            5,846
                                                     ---------------- ---------------- ---------------- ----------------
          Cash earnings.........................         $     3,006      $     2,544    $      12,781    $      10,528
                                                     ================ ================ ================ ================


Cash earnings per diluted share reconciliation:

      Net income per diluted share..............         $      0.02      $      0.06     $       0.25     $       0.24
      Depreciation and amortization per diluted
        share...................................                0.13             0.07             0.39             0.29
                                                     ---------------- ---------------- ---------------- ----------------
          Cash earnings per diluted share.......         $      0.15      $      0.13     $       0.64     $       0.53
                                                     ================ ================ ================ ================






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