<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
Consolidated Balance Sheet as of March 31, 1996 and the Consolidted Statement of
Income for the three months ended March 31, 1996 of Meditrust and is qualified
in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1996
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                          92,607
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   17,402
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                         875,986
<DEPRECIATION>                                  82,140
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,096,570
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                        673,809
<COMMON>                                             0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                  1,495,621
<OTHER-SE>                                   (130,581)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,096,570
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                59,327
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              16,105
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 35,533
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             35,533
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    35,533
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .64
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .64