<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 1999 AND THE CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1999 OF
MEDITRUST OPERATING COMPANY AND ITS 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>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1999
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                           1,275
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   21,694
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                32,808
<PP&E>                                          47,083
<DEPRECIATION>                                   2,344
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 153,482
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           98,750
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       118,944
<OTHER-SE>                                    (58,427)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   153,482
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               463,568
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  222,555
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 153
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (27,230)
<INCOME-TAX>                                     (508)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (26,722)
<DISCONTINUED>                                (10,863)
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (37,585)
<EPS-BASIC>                                      (.26)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.26)