<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK> 0000766704
<NAME> HEALTH CARE REIT, INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                             121
<SECURITIES>                                       966
<RECEIVABLES>                                    5,768
<ALLOWANCES>                                     9,937
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                         204,320
<DEPRECIATION>                                   7,667
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 608,432
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                        192,597
<COMMON>                                        21,737
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                     382,697
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   608,432
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                16,569
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 2,582
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   150
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               4,011
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  9,826
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              9,826
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     9,826
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .51
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .51