<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary information extracted from Atria Communities,
Inc.'s condensed consolidated financial statements for the nine months ended
September 30, 1997 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such
statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                          79,617
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      755
<ALLOWANCES>                                      (157)
<INVENTORY>                                        138
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                82,495
<PP&E>                                         243,237
<DEPRECIATION>                                 (31,568)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 315,493
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            8,533
<BONDS>                                        107,207
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         2,337
<OTHER-SE>                                     181,488
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   315,493
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                48,930
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   24,719
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 9,660
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    35
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               3,272
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  8,495
<INCOME-TAX>                                     3,390
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              5,105
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                   (199)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     4,906
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.26
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.26