<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 Operations for the nine months ended September 30, 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. 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>                                          18,281
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   16,509
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 9,064
<PP&E>                                          10,207
<DEPRECIATION>                                     625
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 144,907
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           57,232
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        90,800
<OTHER-SE>                                     (17,164)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   144,907
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               123,874
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   57,738
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 670
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 (7,562)
<INCOME-TAX>                                    (1,064)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             (6,498)
<DISCONTINUED>                                  (8,414)
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (14,912)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     (.13)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     (.13)