<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF ADVOCAT, INC. FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1997
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
INLCUDED IN THE FORM 10-Q OF ADVOCAT, INC. FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED 
MARCH 31, 1997.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                           1,992
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   26,304
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,501
<INVENTORY>                                        791
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                29,479
<PP&E>                                          41,936
<DEPRECIATION>                                  10,290
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  71,488
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           15,529
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            53
<OTHER-SE>                                      28,530
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    71,488
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                43,442
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   41,460
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   251
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 542
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  1,982
<INCOME-TAX>                                       713
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              1,269
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     1,269
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .24
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .24