SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                            WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549

                      ----------------------------------


                                   FORM 8-K
                                CURRENT REPORT


                        Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
                    of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934


Date of Report                                                     July 29, 1998
(Date of Earliest Event Reported)

                      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.)



One Park Plaza, Nashville, Tennessee                                 37203
(Address of principal executive offices)                          (Zip Code)

                                (615) 344-9551
             (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)



 

ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS

        On July 29, 1998, Columbia/HCA Healthcare Corporation (the "Company")
announced operating results for the second quarter ended June 30, 1998, 
including EPS from continuing operations, before restructuring and investigation
related costs, of $0.30 per diluted share.  The Company also announced that it 
has been authorized by its Board of Directors to repurchase up to $1 billion of 
its common stock.

        Also on July 29, 1998, the Company announced that its Board of Directors
has approved the filing of a ruling request with the Internal Revenue Service 
for tax-free spin-offs to stockholders of its America and Pacific Groups.  The 
America Group presently includes 22 rural hospitals and the Pacific Group 
includes 43 suburban or secondary market hospitals.  The Company anticipates 
filing the ruling request in August.

ITEM 7. EXHIBIT

        Exhibit 20      Copy of press release dated July 29, 1998 relating to
                        second quarter earnings release and $1 billion share
                        repurchase.


                                   SIGNATURE

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934,
the Registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the 
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

COLUMBIA/HCA HEALTHCARE CORPORATION

/s/ JOHN M. FRANCK II
- -----------------------------------------
John M. Franck II
Corporate Secretary                        

DATED:  July 30, 1998