<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 1998 and the Consolidated
Statement of Income for the year ended December 31, 1998 of Meditrust
Corporation and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial
statements.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000313749
<NAME> MEDITRUST CORPORATION
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1998
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                         292,694
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   42,039
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                       4,097,553
<DEPRECIATION>                                 227,970
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               6,320,985
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                      3,301,722
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                         70
<COMMON>                                     3,835,499
<OTHER-SE>                                   (949,088)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 6,320,985
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               518,872
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             178,374
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                160,931
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            160,931
<DISCONTINUED>                               (295,875)
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 (134,944)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (1.18)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (1.13)