<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
Consolidated Balance Sheet as of March 31, 1999 and the Consolidated 
Statement of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 1999 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>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1999
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                           1,969
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   15,180
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                52,646
<PP&E>                                          30,174
<DEPRECIATION>                                   1,261
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 164,698
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          109,039
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       121,115
<OTHER-SE>                                    (61,602)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   164,698
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               145,496
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   70,040
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 110
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (29,042)
<INCOME-TAX>                                     (826)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (28,216)
<DISCONTINUED>                                (11,225)
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (39,441)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.27)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.27)