<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF CORRECTIONS CORPORATION OF AMERICA FOR THE THREE-MONTH
PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 1997, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<RESTATED> 
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                           7,101
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   69,743
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                83,448
<PP&E>                                         356,725
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 566,917
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           75,226
<BONDS>                                        189,191
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        75,945
<OTHER-SE>                                     221,001
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   566,917
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                91,838
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   71,437
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 498
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 19,903
<INCOME-TAX>                                     7,908
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             11,995
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    11,995
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .16
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .14