<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF PRISON REALTY CORPORATION FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER
31, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1998
<CASH>                                          31,141
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                        0
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                43,143
<PP&E>                                         627,389
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,090,437
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          129,713
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           800
<OTHER-SE>                                     451,186
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,090,437
<SALES>                                        662,059
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               662,059
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  624,034
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              (4,380)
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 42,405
<INCOME-TAX>                                    15,424
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             26,981
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                       16,145
<NET-INCOME>                                    10,836
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .15
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .14