<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 Operations for the year ended December 31, 1998 of Meditrust
Operating Company and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such
financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000314661
<NAME> MEDITRUST OPERATING COMPANY
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLALRS
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1998
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                          12,762
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   12,673
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                82,732
<PP&E>                                          31,655
<DEPRECIATION>                                     760
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 198,190
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           82,786
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       123,934
<OTHER-SE>                                    (21,906)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   198,190
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               253,249
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  124,183
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 796
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (24,651)
<INCOME-TAX>                                   (4,800)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (19,851)
<DISCONTINUED>                                   1,648
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (18,203)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.15)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.15)