<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM ATRIA COMMUNITIES,
INC.'S CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED
MARCH 31, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                          50,004
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      739
<ALLOWANCES>                                      (133)
<INVENTORY>                                        132
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                51,652
<PP&E>                                         184,588
<DEPRECIATION>                                 (28,625)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 217,099
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           23,219
<BONDS>                                         98,817
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         1,583
<OTHER-SE>                                      89,043
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   217,099
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                14,217
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    6,989
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 2,777
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     9
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,182
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  2,625
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,047
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              1,578
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     1,578
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .10
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .10