<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF CORRECTIONS CORPORATION OF AMERICA FOR THE NINE MONTHS
ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1998 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-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1998
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                          27,627
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  140,291
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               179,267
<PP&E>                                         613,892
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 944,927
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          124,771
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                        376
<COMMON>                                        83,109
<OTHER-SE>                                     329,788
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   944,927
<SALES>                                        484,505
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               484,505
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  407,630
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              (5,323)
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 82,198
<INCOME-TAX>                                    21,565
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             60,633
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    60,633
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .76
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .68