<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> US DOLLARS
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                           2,142
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      656
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                14,083
<PP&E>                                         630,059
<DEPRECIATION>                                (75,473)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 584,198
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           32,086
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           250
<OTHER-SE>                                     257,755
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   584,198
<SALES>                                         27,784
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                28,529
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   10,747
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 1,150
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               4,821
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  7,711
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              6,955
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     6,955
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .28
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .28