<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