<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF ADVOCAT, INC. FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
1997 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 
SEPTEMBER 30, 1997.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                           2,755
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   25,119
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,524
<INVENTORY>                                      1,041
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                29,234
<PP&E>                                          43,475
<DEPRECIATION>                                  11,442
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  74,225
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           16,445
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            54
<OTHER-SE>                                      30,696
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    74,225
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               131,336
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  126,781
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 1,366
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,471
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  4,555
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,640
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              2,915
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     2,915
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .55
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .55