<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE BALANCE
SHEET AT DECEMBER 31, 1999 AND THE RELATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS FOR THE YEAR
ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1999, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0001043236
<NAME> ELDER TRUST
<MULTIPLIER> 1000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1999
<CASH>                                           3,605
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   50,343
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 6,302
<PP&E>                                         181,861
<DEPRECIATION>                                  10,180
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 266,482
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            3,743
<BONDS>                                         20,211
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            71
<OTHER-SE>                                     103,369
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   266,482
<SALES>                                         28,141
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                28,141
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    6,912
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 5,301<F1>
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              13,136
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    180
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                180
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                  1,210<F2>
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    (1,030)
<EPS-BASIC>                                      (0.14)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (0.14)
<FN><F1> Includes $2.8 million recorded in connection with a separation
         agreement with an officer of the Company.
    <F2> Loss on extinguishment of debt.</FN>