<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK> 0000766704
<NAME> HEALTH CARE REIT, INC.
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                       3,475,548
<SECURITIES>                                 1,438,102
<RECEIVABLES>                              374,972,284
<ALLOWANCES>                                10,925,443
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                     106,981,831
<DEPRECIATION>                               5,710,866
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             471,877,642<F1>
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       11,104,755
<BONDS>                                    186,020,285
<COMMON>                                    16,079,931
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                 258,672,671
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               471,877,642
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            39,584,267
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                             4,840,288
<LOSS-PROVISION>                             1,257,791
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                          11,856,930
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             21,629,258
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                21,629,258
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.62
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.62
<FN>
<F1>Total assets include 1,646,206, which represents deferred loan
expenses that have not been listed separately.
</FN>