EXHIBIT 11.1
                       HEALTH MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATES, INC.

                       COMPUTATION OF EARNINGS PER SHARE
                     (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)



 
 
                                             Three months ended
                                                 December 31,
                                       ----------------------------
                                              1997           1996
                                       ------------------  --------
                                                     
 
Numerator:
   Net income........................            $ 24,837  $ 19,877
                                                 ========  ========
 
Denominator:
 Denominator for basic earnings
  per share-weighted average shares..             163,219   159,013
 
 Effect of dilutive securities-
  employee stock options.............               4,318     4,758
                                                 --------  --------
 
                                                  167,537   163,771
                                                 ========  ========
 
Basic earnings per share ............            $    .15  $    .13
                                                 ========  ========

Diluted earnings per share...........            $    .15  $    .12
                                                 ========  ========