<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND BALANCE SHEETS OF HCA -- THE HEALTHCARE COMPANY
FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2000 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-2000
<CASH>                                             292
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    3,598
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,552
<INVENTORY>                                        389
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 4,038
<PP&E>                                          14,817
<DEPRECIATION>                                   5,984
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  17,692
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            3,631
<BONDS>                                          6,276
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             6
<OTHER-SE>                                       5,373
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    17,692
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 8,404
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    4,631
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 1,532
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   601
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 255
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    122
<INCOME-TAX>                                        98
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                 24
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                        24
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.04
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.04