<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM VENCOR, INC.'S 
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE TWELVE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                         112,466
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  420,758
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (23,915)
<INVENTORY>                                     24,939
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               661,133
<PP&E>                                       1,609,770
<DEPRECIATION>                                (416,608)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,968,856
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          341,010
<BONDS>                                        710,507
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        18,154
<OTHER-SE>                                     778,937
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,968,856
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             2,577,783
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,786,816
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               438,473
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                10,862
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              45,922
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 83,180
<INCOME-TAX>                                    35,175
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             48,005
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    48,005
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.68
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.68