<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.
<MULTIPLIER> 1
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                           2,292
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      723
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                26,278
<PP&E>                                         597,650
<DEPRECIATION>                                (71,481)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 567,874
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           26,300
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           249
<OTHER-SE>                                     257,703
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   567,874
<SALES>                                        101,930
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               105,203
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   40,684
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 4,062
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              17,782
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 26,943
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             24,272
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    24,272
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .98
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .98