UNITED STATES

                   SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                                     
                                   
                         WASHINGTON , D.C.  20549
                                       
                                      
                                      
                                      
                                                                               
                                      
                                      
                                      
                                  FORM 8-K
                               CURRENT REPORT
                                      
                                      
                      Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
                  of the Securities Exchange Act of  1934
                                      
                                      
Date of Report                                        December 13, 1994
(Date of Earliest Event Reported)


                   COLUMBIA/HCA HEALTHCARE CORPORATION
           (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

                               DELAWARE
                       (State of Incorporation)

001-11239                                             75-2497104
(Commission                                         (I.R.S. Employer
File Number)                                        Identification No.)


201 West Main Street, Louisville, Kentucky               40202
(Address of principal executive offices)               (Zip Code)

                               (502)572-2000
            (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
    
                                      
 
ITEM 5.    OTHER EVENTS.

On October 4, 1994, Columbia/HCA Healthcare Corporation
("Columbia") and Healthtrust, Inc. - The Hospital Company
("Healthtrust") announced the signing of a definitive merger agreement. 
This Form 8-K is being filed to report the audited consolidated financial
statements and financial statement schedules of Healthtrust and the
unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements of
Columbia and Healthtrust.
                                                                              


ITEM 7.    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.

Exhibit 23. Copy of the consent letter from Ernst & Young LLP.

Exhibit 99. Copy of the audited consolidated financial statements  and
financial statement schedules of Healthtrust as filed on Form 10-K, as
amended,for the year ended August 31, 1994, and the unaudited pro forma 
condensed combined financial statements of Columbia and Healthtrust.

                                 

                            SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

COLUMBIA/HCA HEALTHCARE CORPORATION



Richard A. Lechleiter
Vice President and Controller
(Principal Accounting Officer)



Dated:  December 13, 1994