<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM GOLF TRUST
OF AMERICA INC'S FORM 10-Q FOR THE PERIOD FROM FEBRUARY 12 TO JUNE 30, 1997 AND
IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   OTHER
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             FEB-12-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                                           2,271
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    1,451
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                          61,724
<DEPRECIATION>                                  11,977
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 128,621
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                         43,900
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            41
<OTHER-SE>                                      40,320
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   128,621
<SALES>                                          6,040
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 6,040
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 2,059
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 290
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  4,139<F1>
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              4,139<F1>
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     4,139<F1>
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .50
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .50
<FN>
<F1> BEFORE MINORITY INTEREST
</FN>