<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
unaudited financial statements of Health and Retirement Properties Trust
for the six months ended June 30, 1996 and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1996
<CASH>                                          18,403
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  150,113
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                         816,819
<DEPRECIATION>                                  66,053
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,043,304
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                        316,262
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           662
<OTHER-SE>                                     707,400
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,043,304
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                56,563
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   23,820
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              10,246
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 40,674
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             40,674
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                 (2,443)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    38,231
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .58
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .58