<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND THE CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS OF
NATIONAL HEALTHCARE AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1994
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1994
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1994
<CASH>                                       3,046,000
<SECURITIES>                                 4,010,000
<RECEIVABLES>                               89,292,000
<ALLOWANCES>                               (3,367,000)
<INVENTORY>                                  2,952,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            97,506,000
<PP&E>                                     264,513,000
<DEPRECIATION>                            (77,104,000)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             396,133,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       55,038,000
<BONDS>                                    224,007,000
<COMMON>                                             0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                 101,006,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               396,133,000
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           298,901,000
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              254,298,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                             2,118,000
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                          13,050,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             15,853,000
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                15,853,000
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.02
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.80