Exhibit 23.1


                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS


     We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in these registration
statements of Meditrust Corporation and Meditrust Operating Company on Form S-4
filed on May 18, 1998 with the Securities and Exchange Commission of our report
dated January 30, 1998, except for Note 16 for which the date is February 26,
1998, on our audits of the financial statements of The Meditrust Companies and
Meditrust Corporation as of December 31, 1997 and 1996, and for the years ended
December 31, 1997, 1996, and 1995, and Meditrust Operating Company as of
December 31, 1997 and for the initial period ended December 31, 1997 which
report is included in the Company's Form 8-K dated February 26, 1998, as
amended by the Company's Form 8-K/A dated April 29, 1998. We also consent to
the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts".



                                          /s/ Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.



Boston, Massachusetts

May 18, 1998