<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, 1998 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-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1998
<CASH>                                          55,847
<SECURITIES>                                    25,000
<RECEIVABLES>                                    2,622
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               108,811
<PP&E>                                         485,957
<DEPRECIATION>                                (13,882)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 636,130
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           52,592
<BONDS>                                        395,522
<COMMON>                                       175,576
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                    (13,065)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   636,130
<SALES>                                        101,683
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               101,683
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  100,253
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                    97
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,541
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  8,458
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              8,458
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     8,458
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.39
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.38