<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