<ARTICLE>                        5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
consolidated financial statements for TLC The Laser Center Inc. and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
       
                              
<PERIOD-TYPE>                    YEAR       
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                               MAY-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                                  JUN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                    MAY-31-1998
<CASH>                                            1,895,000
<SECURITIES>                                     54,234,000
<RECEIVABLES>                                    10,282,000
<ALLOWANCES>                                              0
<INVENTORY>                                               0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 71,043,000
<PP&E>                                           58,635,000
<DEPRECIATION>                                   16,404,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  164,212,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            16,959,000
<BONDS>                                                   0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                     0
<PREFERRED>                                               0
<COMMON>                                        143,554,000
<OTHER-SE>                                      (21,679,000)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    164,212,000
<SALES>                                                   0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 59,122,000
<CGS>                                                     0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   (54,763,000)
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                (12,727,000)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                          0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 (692,000)
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  (9,060,000)
<INCOME-TAX>                                     (1,071,000)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             (10,131,000)
<DISCONTINUED>                                            0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                     593,000
<CHANGES>                                                 0
<NET-INCOME>                                     (9,538,000)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                         (0.34)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                         (0.34)