<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 September 30, 1997 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to
such financial statements and related footnotes.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                           9,575
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    1,756
<ALLOWANCES>                                        10
<INVENTORY>                                      2,382
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                26,436
<PP&E>                                         240,696
<DEPRECIATION>                                   7,293
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 276,099
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           41,354
<BONDS>                                        149,736
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        76,152
<OTHER-SE>                                    (10,271)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   276,099
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                59,404
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   61,113
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                    31
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     8
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               3,711
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                   (57)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                               (57)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                      (57)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.00
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.00