<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY INFO. EXTRACTED FROM CONSOL. BALANCE SHEET OF 
GOLF TRUST OF AMERICA, INC. AND SUBS. AS OF 6/30/98, AND THE CONSOL. STMTS. OF 
INCOME FOR THE 3 MOS ENDED 6/30/98 AND 6/30/97 AND FOR THE 6 MOS ENDED 6/30/98, 
THE RESULTS FROM 2/12/97 (INCEPT.) TO 6/30/97 AND PROFORMA 6 MOS ENDED 6/30/97 
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STMTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>                     <C>                     <C>                     <C>
<C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS                   3-MOS                   6-MOS                   OTHER
6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998             DEC-31-1997             DEC-31-1998             DEC-31-1997
             DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             MAR-31-1998             MAR-31-1997             DEC-31-1997             FEB-12-1997 
  
             MAR-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1998             JUN-30-1997             JUN-30-1998             JUN-30-1997
             JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                                           1,325                       0                       0                       0
                       0
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0                       0                       0
                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    2,575                       0                       0                       0
                       0
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0                       0                       0                       0
                       0
<INVENTORY>                                          0                       0                       0                       0
                       0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0                       0                       0                       0
                       0
<PP&E>                                         277,635                       0                       0                       0
                       0
<DEPRECIATION>                                  18,266                       0                       0                       0
                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 342,223                       0                       0                       0
                       0
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           11,153                       0                       0                       0
                       0
<BONDS>                                        142,834                       0                       0                       0
                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0                       0                       0
                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0                       0                       0
                       0
<COMMON>                                            76                       0                       0                       0
                       0
<OTHER-SE>                                     124,178                       0                       0                       0
                       0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   342,223                       0                       0                       0
                       0
<SALES>                                              0                       0                       0                       0
                       0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                10,448                   3,998                  19,368                   6,040
<F1>                   7,794<F2>
<CGS>                                                0                       0                       0                       0
                       0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    3,756                   1,400                   6,733                   2,059
<F1>                   3,190<F2>
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   279<F3>               (317)<F3>                 207<F3>
                   (448)<F1><F3>                 (448)<F2><F3>
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0                       0                       0
                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,006                     250                   2,922                     290
<F1>                     290<F2>
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  4,407                   2,665                   9,506                   4,139
<F1>                   4,762<F2>
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0                       0                       0                       0
                       0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              4,407                   2,665                   9,506                   4,139
<F1>                   4,762<F2>
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0                       0                       0
                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0                       0                       0
                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0                       0                       0
                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                     2,639                   1,292                   5,720                   2,010
<F1>                   2,378<F2>
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .35                     .33                     .75                     .51
<F1>                     .61<F2>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .33                     .32                     .73                     .50
<F1>                     .59<F2>
<FN>
<F1>Period from Feb 12, 1997 (inception) to June 30, 1997
<F2>Proforma six months ended June 30, 1997
<F3>Interest income and loss on sale of assets
</FN>
        

</TABLE>