<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF CCA PRISON REALTY TRUST FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE
30, 1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1999
<CASH>                                          40,922
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  171,618
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                77,214
<PP&E>                                       2,200,325
<DEPRECIATION>                                  27,799
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,653,576
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          334,019
<BONDS>                                        819,546
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                         43
<COMMON>                                         1,182
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,369,048
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,653,576
<SALES>                                        129,468
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               160,984
<CGS>                                           20,419
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   39,966
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                83,200
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              15,309
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 33,518
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             33,518
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    33,518
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.30
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.30