<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>                                                           3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                                 DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                                                     JAN-1-2000
<PERIOD-END>                                                      MAR-31-2000
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                                             1
<CASH>                                                              1,871,000
<SECURITIES>                                                                0
<RECEIVABLES>                                                       7,975,000
<ALLOWANCES>                                                                0
<INVENTORY>                                                                 0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                                   10,520,000
<PP&E>                                                                      0
<DEPRECIATION>                                                              0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                     48,395,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                              28,275,000
<BONDS>                                                                     0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                       0
<PREFERRED>                                                                 0
<COMMON>                                                                    0
<OTHER-SE>                                                                  0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                       48,395,000
<SALES>                                                                     0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                                   13,338,000
<CGS>                                                                       0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                               0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                   12,372,000
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                            0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                    448,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                       518,000
<INCOME-TAX>                                                                0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                                   518,000
<DISCONTINUED>                                                              0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                             0
<CHANGES>                                                                   0
<NET-INCOME>                                                          518,000
<EPS-BASIC>                                                             0.330
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                           0.000


</TABLE>