SUPPLEMENT NO. 6 DATED JULY 16, 1997
                       TO PROSPECTUS DATED APRIL 29, 1996
                         RELATING TO 1,814,632 SHARES OF
                          RENAL TREATMENT CENTERS, INC.
                          COMMON STOCK, $.01 PAR VALUE

         All capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the
meanings prescribed in the Prospectus dated April 29, 1996, as supplemented by
Supplement No. 1 dated May 17, 1996, Supplement No. 2 dated December 11, 1996,
Supplement No. 3 dated May 21, 1997, Supplement No. 4 dated June 5, 1997 and
Supplement No. 5 dated June 27, 1997, forming a part of Form S-3 Registration
Statement No. 333-3716.

         Donna R. and B.J. Matter, joint tenants with right of survivorship,
Selling Stockholders, have transferred by gift an aggregate of 1,924 shares of
Common Stock beneficially owned by them and covered by the Prospectus to the
persons identified below, who are hereby added to the Prospectus as Selling
Stockholders with respect to the shares set forth next to their names below.
There is no relationship between any of these persons and the Company.

                                                                 Number
  Name                                                          of Shares

  John F. and Nancy Dahlin,
  joint tenants with right of survivorship                        481

  Kevin A. and Shelley Dahlin,
  joint tenants with right of survivorship                        481

  David Ray and Sandi Matter,
  joint tenants with right of survivorship                        481

  Melissa Ann Matter                                              481

         The Dudley S.J. Seto Revocable Trust Dated 11/19/80, a Selling
Stockholder, has transferred by gift 2,500 shares of Common Stock beneficially
owned by it and covered by the Prospectus to the Iolani School. The Iolani
School is hereby added to the Prospectus as a Selling Stockholder with respect
to these 2,500 shares. There is no relationship between the Iolani School and
the Company.