<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
consolidated balance sheets and statements of operations and is qualified in its
entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000895417
<NAME> MANUFACTURED HOME COMMUNITIES, INC.
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1996
<CASH>                                           4,804
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      871
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                38,711
<PP&E>                                         565,540
<DEPRECIATION>                                (60,036)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 544,215
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           25,585
<BONDS>                                        229,541
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           247
<OTHER-SE>                                     259,738
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   544,215
<SALES>                                         24,764
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                25,469
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   10,091
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   971
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               4,194
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  6,557
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              5,907
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     5,907
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .24
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .24