<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF ADVOCAT INC., FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1996,
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
INCLUDED IN THE FORM 10-Q OF ADVOCAT INC. FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED
JUNE 30, 1996.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1996
<CASH>                                           1,479
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   24,270
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,823
<INVENTORY>                                        541
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                27,631
<PP&E>                                          37,701
<DEPRECIATION>                                   8,619
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  67,492
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           19,212
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            53
<OTHER-SE>                                      24,400
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    67,492
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                79,309
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   75,054
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   740
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 667
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  3,048
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,097
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              1,951
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     1,951
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .37
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .37