<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE BALANCE
SHEET AT JUNE 30, 2000 AND THE RELATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS FOR THE SIX
MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2000, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
</LEGEND>
<CIK>            0001043236
<NAME>           ELDER TRUST
<MULTIPLIER>            1000
<CURRENCY>              U.S.

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                                 JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                                   JUN-30-2000
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                          1
<CASH>                                               2,069
<SECURITIES>                                             0
<RECEIVABLES>                                       32,231
<ALLOWANCES>                                             0
<INVENTORY>                                              0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     4,235
<PP&E>                                             182,393
<DEPRECIATION>                                      13,112
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                     233,391
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                               61,687
<BONDS>                                             20,062
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                    0
<PREFERRED>                                              0
<COMMON>                                                71
<OTHER-SE>                                          73,881
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                       233,391
<SALES>                                             13,505
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                    13,505
<CGS>                                                    0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        3,549
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     6,996
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    20,267<F1>
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   6,887
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                   (26,206)
<INCOME-TAX>                                             0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                               (26,206)
<DISCONTINUED>                                           0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                          0
<CHANGES>                                                0
<NET-INCOME>                                      (26,206)
<EPS-BASIC>                                         (3.68)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                       (3.68)
<FN>
<F1>
Represents bad debt expense
</FN>