<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS OF
ALTERNATIVE LIVING SERVICES, INC., FILED WITH THE COMPANY'S FORM 10-Q FOR THE
PERIOD ENDED JUNE 30, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND RELATED FOOTNOTES.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                                          15,440
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    1,365
<ALLOWANCES>                                         2
<INVENTORY>                                        933
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                24,030
<PP&E>                                         194,606
<DEPRECIATION>                                   6,049
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 230,323
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           33,641
<BONDS>                                        116,156
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        76,108
<OTHER-SE>                                    (10,978)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   230,323
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                35,164
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   37,096
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     8
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,531
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  (764)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              (764)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     (764)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.06)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.06)