<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF CORRECTIONS CORPORATION OF AME FOR THE NINE MONTHS 
ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1995, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO 
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1995
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                           1,261
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   39,191
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                46,948
<PP&E>                                         128,992
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 222,782
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           44,149
<BONDS>                                         64,038
<COMMON>                                        15,933
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                      73,850
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   222,782
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               144,911
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  114,504
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                12,640
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,706
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 15,061
<INCOME-TAX>                                     5,897
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              9,164
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     9,164
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .49
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .48