<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