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