<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
condensed consolidated balance sheets and condensed consolidated statements of
operations of Alternative Living Services, Inc., filed with the Company's Form
10-Q for the period ended March 31, 1999 and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to such financial statements and related footnotes.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1999
<CASH>                                          41,395
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    5,882
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                90,983
<PP&E>                                         734,422
<DEPRECIATION>                                (24,998)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 853,849
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           60,508
<BONDS>                                        599,245
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       179,188
<OTHER-SE>                                         457
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   853,849
<SALES>                                         82,891
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                82,891
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   75,201
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               6,464
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  8,492
<INCOME-TAX>                                     3,227
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              5,265
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                        3,837
<NET-INCOME>                                     1,428
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.06
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.06