<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE AUDITED
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS OF
ALTERNATIVE LIVING SERVICES, INC., FILED WITH THE COMPANY'S FORM 10-K FOR THE
PERIOD ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND RELATED FOOTNOTES.  THE FOLLOWING RESTATED 
FINANCIAL DATA SCHEDULES HAVE BEEN PROVIDED TO RESTATE ALL PREVIOUS FILED
FINANCIAL DATA SCHEDULES GIVING EFFECT TO THE STERLING MERGER WHICH HAS BEEN
ACCOUNTED FOR AS A POOLING-OF-INTERESTS.
</LEGEND>
<RESTATED>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                                                                       
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS                   6-MOS                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                         DEC-31-1997             DEC-31-1997             DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                            JAN-01-1997             JAN-01-1997             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                              SEP-30-1997             JUN-30-1997             MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                         19,566                  27,982                  16,500
<SECURITIES>                                        0                       0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   5,562                   2,496                   1,868
<ALLOWANCES>                                        0                       0                       0
<INVENTORY>                                         0                       0                       0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               51,535                  39,791                  25,654
<PP&E>                                        297,355                 242,089                 170,176
<DEPRECIATION>                                  8,679                   7,185                   5,987
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                366,588                 313,148                 208,735
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          59,766                  49,721                  26,426
<BONDS>                                       195,478                 157,556                  79,046
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                               0                       0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                         0                       0                       0
<COMMON>                                      104,444                 104,359                 104,324
<OTHER-SE>                                   (13,893)                (14,945)                (14,803)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                  366,588                 313,148                 208,735
<SALES>                                        89,104                  52,962                  23,700
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               89,104                  52,962                  23,700
<CGS>                                               0                       0                       0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  92,549                  56,136                  25,405
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   68                      24                       3
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    0                       0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              2,236                     620                     127
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    79                 (1,122)                   (995)
<INCOME-TAX>                                        0                       0                       0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                79                 (1,122)                   (995)
<DISCONTINUED>                                      0                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                     0                       0                       0
<CHANGES>                                           0                       0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                       79                 (1,122)                   (995)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    0.00                  (0.06)                  (0.06)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    0.00                  (0.06)                  (0.06)