<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 1996 and the Consolidated
Statement of Income for the year ended December 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>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                          42,726
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   20,178
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                       1,006,260
<DEPRECIATION>                                  98,082
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,316,875
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                        858,760
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                     1,520,455
<OTHER-SE>                                   (135,514)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,316,875
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               254,024
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              64,216
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                157,976
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            157,976
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   157,976
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.66
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.66