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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

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                                    FORM 8-K
                                 CURRENT REPORT

                        PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D)
                     OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


                                            
            DATE OF REPORT                              APRIL 20, 1994
   (Date of Earliest Event Reported)


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                      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.)


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ITEM 5.  OTHER EVENTS

    The Registrant files herewith those exhibits listed in Item 7(c) below.

ITEM 7(C).  EXHIBITS

    The  following exhibits are furnished in accordance with Item 601 of
Regulation S-K.

        1.  Shelf  Underwriting Agreement  dated April 20, 1994,  by and among
    Columbia/HCA Healthcare Corporation and Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated,
    Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation, Merrill Lynch, Pierce,
    Fenner & Smith Incorporated, and J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., as
    Underwriters.

        4.1 Form of 8.36% Debenture Due April 15, 2024.


                                   SIGNATURES

    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 thereunto duly authorized.

                                          COLUMBIA/HCA HEALTHCARE CORPORATION
                                          (Registrant)

                                          By:        /s/ STEPHEN T. BRAUN
                                             -----------------------------------
                                              Stephen T. Braun,
                                              Senior Vice President and
                                              General Counsel

Date: April 25, 1994


                               INDEX TO EXHIBITS



 EXHIBIT                                                                                              SEQUENTIALLY
   NO.                                             EXHIBIT                                           NUMBERED PAGES
- ---------  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  ---------------
                                                                                               
   1.      Shelf Underwriting Agreement dated April 20, 1994, by and among Columbia/ HCA
           Healthcare Corporation and Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, Donaldson, Lufkin &
           Jenrette Securities Corporation, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated,
           and J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., as Underwriters.

   4.1     Form of 8.36% Debenture Due April 15, 2024.