<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
(Replace this text with legend, if applicable)
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000826682
<NAME> Meridian Healthcare Growth and Income Fund
<MULTIPLIER> 1
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START> JAN-1-2000
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-2000
<EXCHANGE-RATE> 1
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<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 8,239,000
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<INVENTORY> 0
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 13,104,000
<PP&E> 0
<DEPRECIATION> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 50,869,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 7,216,000
<BONDS> 23,872,000
0
0
<COMMON> 0
<OTHER-SE> 0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 50,869,000
<SALES> 0
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 41,293,000
<CGS> 0
<TOTAL-COSTS> 0
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 37,579,000
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 1,562,000
<INCOME-PRETAX> 2,152,000
<INCOME-TAX> 0
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 2,152,000
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<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 2,152,000
<EPS-BASIC> 1.380
<EPS-DILUTED> 0.000
</TABLE>