<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF PRISON REALTY FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2000
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-2000
<CASH>                                          37,475
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  176,984
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                85,740
<PP&E>                                       2,216,662
<DEPRECIATION>                                 (62,709)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,698,611
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           88,036
<BONDS>                                      1,097,471
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                    107,500
<COMMON>                                         1,184
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,285,806
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,698,611
<SALES>                                         11,460
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                17,348
<CGS>                                           12,924
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   47,261
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              31,794
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 25,950
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             25,950
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    25,950
<EPS-BASIC>                                      (0.22)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (0.22)