WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.

  


 
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR COMMUNITY HOSPITAL OF
MESQUITE, INC. EXTRACTED FROM THE BALANCE SHEETS, THE STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND
THE STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAY-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAY-31-1997
<CASH>                                             164
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    8,797
<ALLOWANCES>                                     3,093
<INVENTORY>                                      1,004
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 7,074
<PP&E>                                          34,136
<DEPRECIATION>                                  13,385
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  29,368
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            5,104
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             1
<OTHER-SE>                                      23,448
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    29,368
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                44,889
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   31,038
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 1,955
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 6,833
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  5,063
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,919
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              3,144
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     3,144
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0