<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND BALANCE SHEETS OF COLUMBIA/HCA HEALTHCARE CORPORATION FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2000 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-2000 <PERIOD-END> MAR-31-2000 <CASH> 133 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 3,513 <ALLOWANCES> 1,537 <INVENTORY> 377 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 3,409 <PP&E> 14,273 <DEPRECIATION> 5,724 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 16,730 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 2,795 <BONDS> 5,771 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 6 <OTHER-SE> 5,684 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 16,730 <SALES> 0 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 4,271 <CGS> 0 <TOTAL-COSTS> 2,331 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 764 <LOSS-PROVISION> 302 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 119 <INCOME-PRETAX> 492 <INCOME-TAX> 196 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 296 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 296 <EPS-BASIC> 0.53 <EPS-DILUTED> 0.52