<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM GENTLE
DENTAL SERVICE CORPORATION SUPPLEMENTAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                                                  
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR                    9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996             DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996             SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                           2,220                     147
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    6,532                   8,965
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (1,706)                 (2,979)
<INVENTORY>                                        554                     835
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 9,843                   9,862
<PP&E>                                           6,915                  10,375
<DEPRECIATION>                                 (1,149)                 (1,951)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  29,396                  38,634
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            7,571                   5,839
<BONDS>                                          2,394                   8,612
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                           11,055                  12,072
<PREFERRED>                                          2                       2
<COMMON>                                         2,890                   9,546
<OTHER-SE>                                         194                    (90)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    26,396                  38,634
<SALES>                                              0                       0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                14,413                  29,617
<CGS>                                                0                       0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   15,958                  29,906
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                    48                      16
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 749                     362
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (2,342)                   (667)
<INCOME-TAX>                                     (655)                      80
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (1,687)                   (747)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (1,687)                   (747)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.86)                   (.40)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.86)                   (.40)