WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE. <ARTICLE> 5 <CIK> 0000826490 <NAME> HEALTHTRUST, INC - THE HOSPITAL COMPANY <MULTIPLIER> 1000 <PERIOD-TYPE> QTR-1 <FISCAL-YEAR-END> AUG-31-1995 <PERIOD-END> NOV-30-1994 <CASH> 94783 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 774189 <ALLOWANCES> 179050 <INVENTORY> 87021 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 890035 <PP&E> 3019994 <DEPRECIATION> 780266 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 4007465 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 526305 <BONDS> 1741921 <COMMON> 91 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <OTHER-SE> 1075853 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 4007465 <SALES> 0 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 969924 <CGS> 0 <TOTAL-COSTS> 726581 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 54399 <LOSS-PROVISION> 64572 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 40458 <INCOME-PRETAX> 83914 <INCOME-TAX> 33985 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 49929 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 49929 <EPS-PRIMARY> .54 <EPS-DILUTED> .54