<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM LTC
HEALTHCARE, INC.'S QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER
30, 2000 FILED HEREWITH AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-2000
<CASH> 757
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 18,386
<ALLOWANCES> 1,661
<INVENTORY> 0
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 21,542
<PP&E> 42,357
<DEPRECIATION> 4,238
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 72,329
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 13,607
<BONDS> 32,948
0
0
<COMMON> 33
<OTHER-SE> 2,666
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 72,329
<SALES> 0
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 72,806
<CGS> 0
<TOTAL-COSTS> 77,340
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 4,279
<INCOME-PRETAX> 1,668
<INCOME-TAX> 0
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 1,668
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 1,668
<EPS-BASIC> 0.74
<EPS-DILUTED> 0.74
</TABLE>