<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE BALANCE
SHEET AT SEPTEMBER 30, 1999 AND THE RELATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS FOR THE NINE
MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1999.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0001043236
<NAME> ELDER TRUST
<MULTIPLIER> 1000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1999
<CASH>                                           3,082
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   51,263
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 6,748
<PP&E>                                         182,076
<DEPRECIATION>                                   8,753
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 267,893
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           78,621
<BONDS>                                         20,532
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            72
<OTHER-SE>                                     106,049
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   267,893
<SALES>                                         21,192
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                21,192
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    7,206
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 4,664<F1>
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               9,578
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                   (256)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                               (256)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                  1,210<F2>
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    (1,466)
<EPS-BASIC>                                    (0.20)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (0.20)
<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>