<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS OF JUNE 30, 1996 AND THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF
INCOME FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 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>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1996
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                          43,316
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   19,901
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                         955,177
<DEPRECIATION>                                  87,418
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,150,762
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                        715,976
<COMMON>                                     1,498,253
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                   (132,353)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,150,762
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               121,500
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              30,596
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 75,776
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             75,776
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    75,776
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.31
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.31