<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM VENCOR, INC.'S
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31,
1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                         111,315
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  584,253
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (40,218)
<INVENTORY>                                     32,848
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               841,009
<PP&E>                                       1,792,342
<DEPRECIATION>                                (438,460)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,660,706
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          413,319
<BONDS>                                      1,286,843
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        18,182
<OTHER-SE>                                     815,301
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,660,706
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               680,696
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  481,554
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               106,358
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 3,428
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              10,660
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 55,891
<INCOME-TAX>                                    21,909
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             33,982
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                 (2,259)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    31,723
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .45
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .45