<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
consolidated balance sheet and consolidated statements of operations of Altera
Healthcare Corporation filed with the Company's Form 10-Q for the period ended
September 30, 1999 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-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                              JAN-1-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1999
<CASH>                                          28,046
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    8,057
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                99,125
<PP&E>                                         834,505
<DEPRECIATION>                                (34,851)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 976,233
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           75,423
<BONDS>                                        642,704
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       179,164
<OTHER-SE>                                      10,319
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   976,233
<SALES>                                        274,922
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               274,922
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  247,887
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              23,150
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 24,399
<INCOME-TAX>                                     9,272
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             15,127
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                        3,837
<NET-INCOME>                                    11,290
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.51
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.50