<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>                                                              6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                                    DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                                                        JAN-1-2000
<PERIOD-END>                                                         JUN-30-2000
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                                                1
<CASH>                                                                 2,648,000
<SECURITIES>                                                                   0
<RECEIVABLES>                                                          7,890,000
<ALLOWANCES>                                                                   0
<INVENTORY>                                                                    0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                                      11,624,000
<PP&E>                                                                         0
<DEPRECIATION>                                                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                        49,575,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                                  5,923,000
<BONDS>                                                               23,894,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                          0
<PREFERRED>                                                                    0
<COMMON>                                                                       0
<OTHER-SE>                                                                     0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                          49,575,000
<SALES>                                                                        0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                                      27,138,000
<CGS>                                                                          0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                                  0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                      24,786,000
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                               0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                       948,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                        1,404,000
<INCOME-TAX>                                                                   0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                                    1,404,000
<DISCONTINUED>                                                                 0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                                0
<CHANGES>                                                                      0
<NET-INCOME>                                                           1,404,000
<EPS-BASIC>                                                                0.900
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                              0.000




</TABLE>