<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE INTERIM
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF ADVOCAT INC. AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q DATED FROM THE
QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1998
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1998
<CASH>                                           1,871
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   30,025
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,100
<INVENTORY>                                      1,045
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                34,875
<PP&E>                                          80,754
<DEPRECIATION>                                  14,675
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 120,207
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           22,970
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            54
<OTHER-SE>                                      31,406
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   120,207
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               155,496
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  154,218
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   993
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,468
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  1,250
<INCOME-TAX>                                       450
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                800
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       800
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .15
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .15