<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, 1998 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to
such financial statements and related footnotes.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1998
<CASH>                                          49,934
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    4,045
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                90,852
<PP&E>                                         660,756
<DEPRECIATION>                                (20,545)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 777,810
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           62,547
<BONDS>                                        515,584
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       178,083
<OTHER-SE>                                       (971)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   777,810
<SALES>                                        244,423
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               244,423
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  235,035
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   170
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              11,024
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 23,688
<INCOME-TAX>                                     3,136
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             20,552
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    20,552
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .94
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .92