<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 30, 1998 and the Consolidated 
Statement of Income for the nine months ended September 30, 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>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1998
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                          38,974
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   59,248
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                       4,271,459
<DEPRECIATION>                                 171,632
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               6,695,534
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                      3,385,555
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                         70
<COMMON>                                     3,857,546
<OTHER-SE>                                    (626,442)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 6,695,534
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               355,845
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             107,804
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 78,204
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             78,204
<DISCONTINUED>                                (158,059)
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (79,855)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (0.75)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (0.72)