<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> This schedule contains summary information extracted from Vencor, Inc.'s condensed consolidated financial statements for the six months ended June 30, 1997 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such statements. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1997 <PERIOD-END> JUN-30-1997 <CASH> 106,476 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 639,889 <ALLOWANCES> (52,687) <INVENTORY> 36,525 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 938,646 <PP&E> 2,050,914 <DEPRECIATION> (462,968) <TOTAL-ASSETS> 3,410,057 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 457,109 <BONDS> 1,935,019 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 18,215 <OTHER-SE> 859,372 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 3,410,057 <SALES> 0 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 1,458,991 <CGS> 0 <TOTAL-COSTS> 1,030,471 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 220,354 <LOSS-PROVISION> 8,367 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 31,334 <INCOME-PRETAX> 117,927 <INCOME-TAX> 46,935 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 70,992 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> (3,849) <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 67,143 <EPS-PRIMARY> 0.95 <EPS-DILUTED> 0.95