<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 AND THE CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 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>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                          51,184
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   21,418
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                         846,663
<DEPRECIATION>                                  92,863
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,298,979
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                        866,172
<COMMON>                                     1,505,870
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                   (134,031)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,298,979
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               186,301
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              46,450
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                116,497
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            116,497
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   116,497
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.97
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.99