<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
Consolidated Balance Sheet as of March 31, 2000 and the Consolidated Statement
of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2000 of Meditrust Operating
Company and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial
statements.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000313749
<NAME> MEDITRUST OPERATING COMPANY
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-2000
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                           1,241
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   22,017
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                36,130
<PP&E>                                          56,401
<DEPRECIATION>                                   4,071
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 161,858
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          115,023
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       118,941
<OTHER-SE>                                    (66,556)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   161,858
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               148,107
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   71,465
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 252
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (6,815)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (6,815)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (6,815)
<EPS-BASIC>                                      (.05)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.05)