<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM HEALTH CARE AND
RETIREMENT CORPORATION'S QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED
JUNE 30, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                                           1,600
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  143,016
<ALLOWANCES>                                    14,099
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               157,595
<PP&E>                                         668,181
<DEPRECIATION>                                 121,467
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 900,570
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          139,595
<BONDS>                                        262,367
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           489
<OTHER-SE>                                     412,703
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   900,570
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               434,268
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  344,923
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                17,855
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 3,522
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 48,403
<INCOME-TAX>                                    14,860
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             33,543
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    33,543
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .72
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .72