<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM ATRIA COMMUNITIES,
INC.'S CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                          65,238
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      574
<ALLOWANCES>                                      (130)
<INVENTORY>                                        129
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                66,797
<PP&E>                                         161,946
<DEPRECIATION>                                 (27,426)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 209,782
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           21,210
<BONDS>                                         95,207
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         1,583
<OTHER-SE>                                      87,363
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   209,782
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                51,846
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   25,238
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                10,552
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    42
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               4,287
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  7,056
<INCOME-TAX>                                     2,787
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              4,269
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     4,269
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.35
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.35