<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINNACIAL STATEMENTS OF CORRECTIONS CORP OF AMERICA FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED
JUNE 30, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1998
<CASH>                                         133,455
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  115,712
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                10,581
<PP&E>                                         432,785
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 895,601
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          125,331
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                        376
<COMMON>                                        80,927
<OTHER-SE>                                     305,849
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   895,601
<SALES>                                        305,369
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               305,369
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  257,028
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             (5,211)
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 53,522
<INCOME-TAX>                                    14,021
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             39,531
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    39,531
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .49
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .44