<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM VENTAS, INC.'S
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30,
1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1999
<CASH>                                          70,070
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                        0
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                               0
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,018,177
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        18,402
<OTHER-SE>                                     (12,525)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,018,177
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               114,542
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   66,925
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 7,113
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              36,630
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 40,504
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    40,504
<EPS-BASIC>                                        .60
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .60