NATIONAL HEALTHCARE CORP
10-Q, 2000-08-14
SKILLED NURSING CARE FACILITIES
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                               FORM 10-Q


                   SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                        WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549


               Quarterly Report Under Section 13 of 15(d)
                 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934


For quarter ended   June 30, 2000       Commission file number 333-37185



                    NATIONAL HEALTHCARE CORPORATION
         (Exact name of registrant as specified in its Charter)



          Delaware                           52-2057472
(State or other jurisdiction of              (I.R.S. Employer
 incorporation or organization               Identification No.)


     100 Vine Street
     Murfreesboro, TN                           37130
     (Address of principal                    (Zip Code)
      executive offices)


Registrant's telephone number, including area code     (615) 890-2020

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant

   (1)  Has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d), of
        the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months.

                    Yes   x   No

   (2)  Has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

                    Yes   x   No


11,536,096 shares were outstanding as of July 31, 2000.
<PAGE>
                          PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.  Financial Statements.
<TABLE>
                         NATIONAL HEALTHCARE CORPORATION

               INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                                   (Unaudited)


<CAPTION>
                                Three Months Ended        Six Months Ended
                                     June 30                  June 30
                                 2000      1999            2000      1999
                               (in thousands)               (in thousands)
<S>                        <C>            <C>            <C>           <C>
REVENUES:
 Net patient revenues      $   108,343    $   98,189     $  217,126    $  197,436
 Other revenues                  7,865         9,533         14,483        18,215
   Net revenues                116,208       107,722        231,609       215,651

COSTS AND EXPENSES:
 Salaries, wages and
  benefits                      65,300        59,779        129,432       121,340
 Other operating                29,660        27,912         60,130        55,160
 Rent                           12,080        11,986         23,969        22,954
 Depreciation and amorti-
  zation                         3,347         2,912          6,675         5,719
 Interest                        1,617         1,330          3,309         2,916
  Total costs and expenses     112,004       103,919        223,515       208,089

Income Before Income Taxes       4,204         3,803          8,094         7,562

Income Tax Provision            (1,723   )    (1,553)        (3,234)       (3,075)

NET INCOME                 $     2,481    $    2,250     $    4,860    $    4,487

EARNINGS PER SHARE:
  Basic                    $       .21    $      .20     $      .42    $      .39
  Diluted                  $       .21    $      .20     $      .42    $      .39

WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING:
  Basic                     11,545,392    11,429,787     11,549,817    11,413,390
  Diluted                   11,545,782    11,430,050     11,550,012    11,421,191

</TABLE>




The accompanying notes to interim condensed consolidated financial
statements are an integral part of these statements.

                                        2
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
                     NATIONAL HEALTHCARE CORPORATION

              INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                             (in thousands)

                                 ASSETS

<CAPTION>
                                                 June 30     December 31
                                                  2000         1999
                                               (unaudited)
<S>                                              <C>           <C>
CURRENT ASSETS:
  Cash and cash equivalents                      $  7,098      $  4,054
  Cash held by trustees                             3,553         4,672
  Marketable securities                            33,413        30,459
  Accounts receivable, less allowance for
    doubtful accounts of $11,512 and $10,278       51,531        52,337
  Notes receivable                                    602           602
  Inventory at lower of cost (first-in,
    first-out method) or market                     4,923         5,010
  Deferred income taxes                             9,582         7,932
  Prepaid expenses and other assets                 4,739         2,430
  Total current assets                            115,441       107,496

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT AND ASSETS UNDER
  ARRANGEMENT WITH OTHER PARTIES:
  Property and equipment at cost                  163,814       157,558
  Less accumulated depreciation and
    amortization                                  (67,007)      (61,107)
  Assets under arrangement with other parties       3,169         3,475
  Net property, equipment and assets under
    arrangement with other parties                 99,976        99,926

OTHER ASSETS:
  Bond reserve funds, mortgage replacement
    reserves and other deposits                       785           757
  Unamortized financing costs                         784           837
  Notes receivable                                 14,689         3,381
  Notes receivable from National                   12,255        12,198
  Deferred income taxes                             8,467         7,826
  Minority equity investments and other            10,512         7,898
  Total other assets                               47,492        32,897

                                                 $262,909      $240,319
</TABLE>


The accompanying notes to interim condensed consolidated financial
statements are an integral part of these consolidated balance sheets.



                                    3
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
                     NATIONAL HEALTHCARE CORPORATION

              INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                             (in thousands)

                   LIABILITIES AND SHAREOWNERS' EQUITY
<CAPTION>
                                                June 30       December 31
                                                  2000           1999
                                              (Unaudited)
<S>                                             <C>                <C>
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
  Current portion of long-term debt             $  4,256           $   4,487
  Short-term borrowings                           20,000               2,000
  Trade accounts payable                          10,773              13,285
  Accrued payroll                                 25,964              25,951
  Amount due to third-party payors                28,415              26,923
  Accrued interest                                   272                 276
  Other current liabilities                       23,608              19,737
  Total current liabilities                      113,288              92,659

Long-term debt, less current portion              43,996              45,736
Debt serviced by other parties, less
   current portion                                14,828              14,911
Other noncurrent liabilities                      11,536              11,536
Minority interests in consolidated subsidiaries      707                 698
Deferred income                                   22,169              21,143
Commitments, contingencies And guarantees

SHAREOWNERS' EQUITY:
  Preferred stock, $.01 par value;
  10,000,000 shares authorized;
  none issued or outstanding                         ---                ---
  Common stock, $.01 par value;
  30,000,000 shares authorized;
  11,548,996 and 11,553,496 shares,
  respectively, issued and outstanding               115                115
  Capital in excess of par value,
  less notes receivable                           54,287             54,250
  Retained earnings                                6,844              1,984
  Unrealized losses on securities                 (4,861)            (2,713)
  Total shareowners' equity                       56,385             53,636

                                                $262,909          $ 240,319
</TABLE>





The accompanying notes to interim condensed consolidated financial
statements are an integral part of these consolidated balance sheets.

                                    4
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
                       NATIONAL HEALTHCARE CORPORATION
           INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                 (Unaudited)
<CAPTION>
                                                     Six Months Ended
                                                          June 30
                                                      2000          1999
                                                       (in thousands)
<S>                                                    <C>       <C>
CASH FLOWS PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
  Net income                                           $ 4,860   $  4,487
  Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
    provided by operating activities:
    Depreciation                                         6,280      5,331
    Provision for doubtful accounts receivable           1,234        846
 Amortization of intangibles and deferred charges          419        496
    Amortization of deferred income                       (236)      (335)
    Equity in earnings of unconsolidated investments      (112)      (115)
    Distributions from unconsolidated investments          144         95
  Deferred income taxes                                   (837)       975
  Changes in assets and liabilities:
    (Increase) decrease in accounts receivable            (428)     1,372
    (Increase) decrease in inventory                        87       (397)
    Increase in prepaid expenses and other assets       (2,309)    (2,192)
    Increase (decrease) in trade accounts payable       (2,512)     1,503
    Increase (decrease) in accrued payroll                  13     (2,025)
    Increase (decrease) in amounts due to third
        party payors                                     1,492     (1,944)
    Increase (decrease) in accrued interest                 (4)       257
    Increase in other current liabilities                3,871      5,096
    Increase in entrance fee deposits                    1,262      1,358
     Net cash provided by operating activities          13,224     14,808

CASH FLOWS USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
  Additions to and acquisitions of property and
    equipment, net                                      (6,330)   (15,991)
  Investment in notes receivable                       (13,560)    (1,235)
  Collection of notes receivable                         2,195      9,185
  Increase in minority equity investments and other        ---       (110)
  Increase in marketable securities                     (6,556)    (7,212)
  Net cash used in investing activities                (24,251)   (15,363)

CASH FLOWS PROVIDED BY (USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
  Proceeds from debt issuance                           18,000     14,095
  Decrease in cash held by trustee                       1,119      1,741
  Decrease in minority interests in subsidiaries        (2,991)       (28)
  Increase in bond reserve funds, mortgage
    replacement reserves and other deposits                (28)       (84)
  Issuance of common shares                                  6         84
  Collection of receivables                                345          1
  Purchase of common shares                               (314)       ---
  Payments on debt                                      (2,053)   (22,420)
  Increase in financing costs                              (13)      (217)
  Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities   14,071     (6,828)

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS     3,044     (7,383)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD           4,054     12,630
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD               $ 7,098   $  5,247

Supplemental Information:
  Cash payments for interest expense                   $ 3,313   $  2,659
</TABLE>

The accompanying notes to interim condensed consolidated financial
statements are an integral part of these consolidated statements.

                                      5
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
                         NATIONAL HEALTHCARE CORPORATION
             INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                   (Unaudited)
<CAPTION>
                                                         Six Months Ended
                                                             June 30
                                                          2000      1999
                                                           (in thousands)

<S>                                                    <C>       <C>
During the six months ended June 30, 1999,
  $710,000, of convertible subordinated
  debentures were converted into 46,690
  shares of common stock:
     Convertible subordinated debentures               $    ---  $   (710)
     Financing costs                                        ---        47
     Accrued interest                                       ---        (8)
     Common stock                                           ---       ---
     Capital in excess of par value                         ---       671
</TABLE>





















The accompanying notes to interim condensed consolidated financial
statements are an integral part of these consolidated statements.





                                        6
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
                                    NATIONAL HEALTHCARE CORPORATION
                    Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareowners' Equity
                             (in thousands, except share and unit amounts)
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 Unrealized Total
                                                   Receivables                   Gains      Share-
                                 Common Stock      from Sale Paid in   Retained  (Losses)on Owners'
                              Shares      Amount   of Shares Capital   Earnings  Securities Equity

<S>                         <C>           <C>      <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>        <C>
Balance at 12/31/99         11,553,496    $  115   $(16,799) $71,049   $  1,984  $(2,713)   $ 53,636
  Net income                       ---       ---        ---      ---      4,860      ---       4,860
  Unrealized losses on
     securities                    ---       ---        ---      ---        ---   (2,148)     (2,148)
  Total Comprehensive Income                                                                             2,712
  Shares sold                    1,100       ---        ---        6        ---      ---           6
  Collection of receivables        ---       ---        345      ---        ---      ---         345
  Shares repurchased           (18,500)      ---        ---     (314)       ---      ---        (314)

Balance at 6/30/00          11,536,096    $  115   $(16,454) $70,741   $  6,844  $(4,861)   $ 56,385

Balance at 12/31/98         11,378,558    $  114   $(16,807) $69,645   $ (6,399) $ 3,762    $ 50,315
  Net income                       ---       ---        ---      ---      4,487      ---       4,487
  Unrealized losses on
     securities                    ---       ---        ---      ---        ---   (1,569)     (1,569)
  Total Comprehensive Income                                                                             2,918
  Shares sold                    4,546       ---        ---       84        ---      ---          84
  Shares issued in conversion
     of convertible debentures
     to common shares           46,690       ---        ---      671        ---      ---         671

Balance at 6/30/99          11,429,794    $  114   $(16,806) $70,400   $ (1,912) $ 2,193    $ 53,989
</TABLE>


The accompanying notes to interim condensed consolidated financial
statements are an integral part of these consolidated statements.

                                                    7
<PAGE>

                 NATIONAL HEALTHCARE CORPORATION

   NOTES TO INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                          June 30, 2000
                           (Unaudited)

Note 1 - CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS:

     The financial statements of National HealthCare Corporation ("NHC") for
the six months ended June 30, 2000 and 1999, which have not been examined by
independent public accountants, reflect, in the opinion of management, all
adjustments necessary to present fairly the data for such periods.  The
results of the operations for the six months ended June 30, 2000 are not
necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the entire
fiscal year ended December 31, 2000.  The interim condensed balance sheet at
December 31, 1999 is taken from the audited financial statements at that date.
The interim condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with
the consolidated financial statements, including the notes thereto, and
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations included in NHC's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999.


Note 2 - OTHER REVENUES:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                    Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
                                         June 30            June 30
                                    2000      1999      2000       1999
                                                 (in thousands)
<S>                                <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
Revenue from managed centers       $ 4,205   $ 5,647   $ 7,272   $11,569
Guarantee fees                          87       123       208       255
Advisory fee from NHI                  722       704     1,441     1,407
Advisory fee from NHR                  125       118       244       236
Earnings on securities               1,172       387     2,280       785
Equity in earnings of
  unconsolidated investments            51        56       112       115
Interest income                        739     1,077     1,413     1,834
Other                                  764     1,421     1,513     2,014
                                   $ 7,865   $ 9,533   $14,483   $18,215
</TABLE>
     Revenues from managed centers include management fees and interest
income on notes receivable from the managed centers.  "Other" revenues include
non-health care related earnings.


Note 3 - INVESTMENTS IN MARKETABLE SECURITIES AND PREFERRED STOCK:

     NHC considers its investments in marketable securities as available for
sale securities and unrealized gains and losses are recorded in shareowners'
equity in accordance with Statement of Financial Accountant Standards No. 115.


                                8
<PAGE>
                 NATIONAL HEALTHCARE CORPORATION

   NOTES TO INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                          June 30, 2000
                           (Unaudited)


     On March 31, 2000, NHC acquired $3,000,000 of National Health Investors,
Inc. ("NHI") Preferred Stock, convertible at the lesser of $12.00 per share or
the then trading value per share into NHI common stock after December 31,
2000.  The shares pay dividends at the rate of 8% through June 30, 2000, at
the rate of 10% from July 1, 2000 through September 30, 2000, and at the rate
of 12% thereafter.  The Preferred Stock, which is not listed on a stock
exchange, is considered a non-marketable security and is recorded at cost.

     Realized gains and losses from securities sales are determined on the
specific identification of the securities.


Note 4 - GUARANTEES AND CONTINGENCIES:

Guarantees and Related Events

     In order to obtain management agreements and to facilitate the
construction or acquisition of certain health care centers which NHC manages
for others, NHC has guaranteed some or all of the debt (principal and
interest) on those centers.  For this service, NHC charges an annual guarantee
fee of 1% to 2% of the outstanding principal balance guaranteed, which fee is
in addition to NHC's management fee.  The principal amounts outstanding under
the guarantees is approximately $42,122,000 (net of available debt service
reserves) at variable and fixed interest rates with a weighted average rate of
6.9% at June 30, 2000.

     As a result of the health care industry's generally weak financial
position, the bankruptcy of Integrated Health Services Corporation (the lessee
for fourteen facilities formerly managed by NHC) in 1999, the uncertainty
engendered by the pendency of the Whistleblower lawsuit discussed in Note 5,
and the cancellation of NHC's inability policy as discussed below, NHC
has experienced and is experiencing the potential for significant defaults in
financial obligations which it has undertaken.  A summary of the potential
defaults are as follows:

     FCC Guarantees: Although NHC transferred to National Health Realty, Inc.
     ("NHR") approximately $60 million of first and second mortgage notes
     made by Florida Convalescent Centers, Inc. ("FCC") on fourteen
     facilities formerly managed by NHC, NHC remained as a guarantor on two
     Letters of Credit securing in the aggregate approximately $23 million of
     first mortgage tax-exempt debt on eight of the fourteen centers.




                                9
<PAGE>
                 NATIONAL HEALTHCARE CORPORATION

   NOTES TO INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                          June 30, 2000
                           (Unaudited)



     Toronto Dominion Bank had approximately $14 million in a Letter of
     Credit securing tax-exempt notes on six FCC notes.  On April 25, 2000,
     FCC replaced the Toronto Dominion Bank Letter of Credit with one issued
     by Norwest Bank Minnesota N.A.  As a result, NHC was released from this
     guarantee in April, 2000, except for $3,350,000 which is a secured lien
     on NHC's owned 180 bed nursing home in Pensacola, Florida.

     The Bank of Tokyo/Mitsubishi ("BOTM") had an approximate $9 million
     Letter of Credit on two FCC centers, which are also guaranteed by NHC.
     On April 25, 2000, FCC replaced the BOTM Letter of Credit with one
     issued by Norwest Bank Minnesota N.A.  NHC was released from its
     guarantee on this indebtedness.

     York Hannover Bankruptcy: NHC had originally guaranteed $5 million of
     that certain first mortgage debt made by York Hannover Nursing Centers,
     Inc. ("York Hannover") to NHI in December 1993.  York Hannover sought
     bankruptcy protection in April 1999 and on December 30, 1999, the six
     Florida nursing facilities, which secured the NHI note, were acquired by
     a subsidiary of the first mortgage lender.  NHC has remained as a
     limited ($3 million) guarantor of the outstanding debt plus the
     guarantor on a $2,000,000 working capital note, all collateralized by
     the pledge of certain marketable securities in the approximate amount of
     $5 million.  NHC is no longer managing these facilities.  The failure of
     these facilities to make their payments on the first mortgage notes
     could result in the acceleration of that indebtedness and an attempt by
     the first mortgage holder and/or working capital lender to collect their
     total of $5 million in guarantees from NHC or the collateral now held by
     the first mortgage lender.


Customer Bankruptcies

     On November 5, 1999, NHC was informed that a substantial debtor of its
rehabilitation division had filed for Chapter 11 protection in the United
States Bankruptcy/District Court in Wilmington, Delaware.  The debtor is an
affiliate of Lenox Healthcare, Inc. of Pittsfield, Massachusetts.  The debt is
collateralized by second mortgages on certain licensed nursing facilities, a
first lien on certain accounts receivable, and the assignment of a number of
limited partnership and corporate shareholder interests.  NHC does not
currently believe there is any chance of significant recovery in this bankrupt
estate and has previously reserved 100% of the accounts receivable.


                               10
<PAGE>
                 NATIONAL HEALTHCARE CORPORATION

   NOTES TO INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                          June 30, 2000
                           (Unaudited)



     NHC also manages three other nursing homes owned in part by Mr. Tom
Clarke, the owner of Lenox Healthcare, Inc.  Two of the three facilities are
not in bankruptcy and are in compliance with all the terms and conditions of
the Management Agreement.  The third managed facility is located in Carthage,
Tennessee and although this management agreement has been rejected by the
debtor in possession, the property is still being managed by NHC on a month
to month basis.


Professional Liability Claims

     Due to unusual statutory provisions in the State of Florida as well as
an active and specialized plaintiff's bar, the entire long-term care industry
in that state has seen a drastic increase in liability claims, reserves,
settlements, and judgments over the last several years.  As a result, the
Company's professional liability insurance premium for its owned and managed
centers (22 of which are in Florida currently) has increased from $1,995,000
in 1998 to $3,200,000 in 1999 and $6,700,000 in 2000.  Prior to 1999, coverage
was secured on a first dollar basis (no deductible).  For policy
years 1999 and 2000, all owned centers have a significant per claim deductible
which is capped in the aggregate at $1,225,000 for policy year 1999 and
$2,000,000 for policy year 2000.

     On June 28, 2000, Caliber One, the Company's malpractice carrier, gave
NHC 90 days notice of the cancellation of its professional liability policy in
all states in which NHC does business.  NHC believes that commercially
reasonable coverage will be obtained by September 28, 2000, for all states
except Florida. Consequently, the Company has announced that it is
reviewing several alternatives, the most likely being a withdrawal from the
operational management of Florida properties, two of which are owned, 10 of
which are managed for third parties, and 10 of which are leased from either
NHI or NHR.  Given the current legal environment, significant additional
premiums and self insured retentions going forward in the balance of states in
which NHC operates may be expected.  Given the current legal environment in
the State of Florida, the Company believes there is a potential of uninsured
liability in excess of insurance coverage for the years 1994 through 2000,
which amount is not quantifiable at the present time.  Any
judgments or settlements above the Company's specific center and umbrella
coverage may have a material adverse impact on NHC's financial position, cash
flow and results of operations.


                               11
<PAGE>
                 NATIONAL HEALTHCARE CORPORATION

   NOTES TO INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                          June 30, 2000
                           (Unaudited)



Note 5 - LEGAL PROCEEDINGS:

Braeuning vs. NHC

     NHC was a defendant in a lawsuit styled Braeuning, et al vs.
National HealthCare L.P., et al filed "under seal" in the U.S. District Court
of the Northern District of Florida on April 9, 1996.  The government
participated as an intervening plaintiff.  By agreement,
the suit was moved from the Pensacola District Court to the Tampa,
Florida, District Court and has now been dismissed, subject to court approval
of a settlement agreement.  The suit alleged that NHC submitted cost reports
and routine cost limit exception requests containing "fraudulent allocation of
routine nursing services to ancillary service cost centers" and also alleged
that NHC improperly allocated skilled nursing service hours in four managed
centers, all in the state of Florida.  The suit was filed under the Qui Tam
provisions of the Federal False Claims Act, commonly referred to as the
"Whistleblower Act".  NHC denied all allegations.

     In regard to the allegations contained in the Braeuning lawsuit, NHC
believes that the cost report information of the centers has been either
appropriately filed or, upon amendment, will reflect adjustments for, among
other items, i) the correction of unintentional misallocations; ii) instances
in which the self audit process has had to use different source documents due
to loss or misplacement of the original source documents and iii)
recalculation of Director of Nursing/Assistant Director of Nursing time based
upon indirect allocation percentages rather than time studies, as were
originally used.  Prior to the filing of the suit, NHC had commenced an
in-depth review of the nursing time allocation process at its owned, leased and
managed centers.  A number of amended cost reports have been filed and NHC has
finalized the self-audit process for years 1995 and 1996.  NHC's self audit
process was approved by the plaintiffs and NHC retained a nationally
recognized accounting firm to review the self audit process.  The cost report
periods reviewed include 1991 through 1996.  The Company has reached a
tentative agreement with the Department of Justice and the Health Care
Financing Administration on the use of certain audit ratios to be used to
calculate the amount of Medicare overpayment or underpayment for years 1991
through  1994; thus avoiding a continuation of the costly self audit process.







                               12
<PAGE>
                 NATIONAL HEALTHCARE CORPORATION

   NOTES TO INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                          June 30, 2000
                           (Unaudited)


     Adjustments to the reimbursable costs claimed will be the responsibility
of the center where costs were incurred, whether owned, leased or managed by
the Company; however, under the terms of NHC's 1998 settlement of litigation
with FCC, NHC has agreed to be responsible for any adjustments to previously
filed Medicare and routine cost limit exceptions related to the 16 FCC
centers.  In return, any receivables owed to FCC thru 1998 are the property of
NHC.  Adjustments made to the six centers owned during those years by York
Hannover may also be borne by NHC.  Negative adjustments to managed centers
would reduce NHC's management fee (6% of net revenue)and could result in claims
against NHC as manager by the owners including damages and termination of the
management relationships. Adjustments to owned or leased centers would directly
impact the Company's financial statements.  NHC intends to continue its revenue
policy of not reflecting routine cost limit exception requests as income until
the process, including cost report audits, is completed.  NHC and the
government are aggressively pursuing an amicable settlement.  Although no
written agreement has been reached, the Company believes the self-audit
numbers and ratios plus projected unrecorded receivables from the government
will enable it to finalize the litigation without a material profit or loss
effect.  Of course, until a written settlement is reached and approved by the
Court, an adverse determination in the lawsuit or an agreed upon settlement
could include repayments, fines and/or penalties which would have a material
negative impact on the financial position, cash flow and results of operations
of NHC.


General Liability Lawsuits

     The long term care industry has seen a dramatic increase in
personal injury/wrongful death claims based on alleged negligence by nursing
homes and their employees in providing care to residents.  This is especially
prevalent in Florida.  As of June 30, 2000, the Company and/or its managed
centers are defendants in 72 such lawsuits in Florida, compared to 33 in all
other states combined.

     On March 31, 1999, after the close of business, the insurance carrier
covering both NHC and the Florida based six facility nursing home chain
managed by NHC (York Hannover) contacted NHC's Florida counsel to advise them
that the jury had returned a verdict in excess of policy limits in
compensatory damages, and the jury indicated that it wanted to assess punitive
damages.  The insurance carrier then entered into a settlement of the
compensatory and punitive claim against the defendants in an amount materially
greater than policy limits and the initial jury verdict.  The settlement was
far in excess of what the insurance carrier could have settled the claim prior
to or during the trial.


                               13
<PAGE>
                 NATIONAL HEALTHCARE CORPORATION

   NOTES TO INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                          June 30, 2000
                           (Unaudited)


     Unsure as to whether the carrier would assert a claim against NHC
and/or the owner or, alternatively, that the carrier would claim that
the coverage be divided between the umbrella policy issued for separate
calendar years, NHC filed for declaratory judgment in the Chancery Court
of Rutherford County, Tennessee.  This action asks the court to find that
the settlement was made in bad faith and that the insurance carrier should be
responsible for the entire amount of the judgment.  The insurance carrier
transferred the case into the federal district court in Nashville, Tennessee
and the York Hannover bankruptcy Trustee filed an identical suit in Tampa,
Florida against the carrier.  The parties have now reached a settlement - which
must receive approval from the York-Hannover Bankruptcy Court - which removes
any possible claim by the carrier against NHC and/or York Hannover for
contribution, and which also results in the reestablishment of a five million
dollar umbrella policy covering all of NHC's owned, leased or managed centers
for 1996.


Note 6 - LONG-TERM DEBT:

     As of June 30, 2000, NHC and NHI were in violation of certain financial
covenants included in a debt instrument originally financed through the
National Health Corporation Leveraged Employee Stock Ownership Plan and Trust.
NHC and NHI have obtained waivers of these defaults for the quarters ended
March 31, 2000 and June 30, 2000.  As of June 30, 2000, the total debt balance
on the loan was $23,214,000, of which $5,303,000 is the primary obligation of
NHC.  NHC is not obligated on nor has NHC guaranteed the remaining balance of
the loan.  As a result of NHI not being rated investment grade, NHI was
delivered a tender notice from the note holders to purchase, between June 10,
2000 and June 16, 2000, the $23,214,000 in outstanding notes.  The note
holders have since rescinded their tender notice effective as of the date such
tender notice was given.  Subsequent to June 30, 2000, NHC purchased the
outstanding notes.  NHC currently negotiating for the resale of the notes.


Item 2.   Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Conditions and
          Results of Operations

Overview

     National HealthCare Corporation ("NHC", or the "Company") operates or
manages 106 long-term health care centers with 13,977 beds in 12 states.  NHC
provides nursing care as well as ancillary therapy services to patients in a
variety of settings including long-term care nursing centers, managed care
specialty units, subacute care units, Alzheimer's care units, homecare
programs, assisted living centers and independent living centers.
                               14
<PAGE>
                 NATIONAL HEALTHCARE CORPORATION

                          June 30, 2000
                           (Unaudited)


Results of Operations

Three Months Ended June 30, 2000 Compared to Three Months Ended June 30, 1999.

     Results for the three month period ended June 30, 2000 include a 7.9%
increase compared to the same period in 1999 in net revenues and a 10.3%
increase in net income.

     The increase in revenues reflect improved PPS rates, improved census
mix, and increases in the number of beds operated in long-term nursing care
operations.

     Compared to the quarter a year ago, NHC has increased the number of
owned or leased long-term care beds by 89 beds from 7,887 beds to 7,976 beds.
Also contributing to increased revenues are improved occupancy rates at
assisted living centers and at independent living centers.

     Revenues from managed centers, which are included in the Statements of
Income in Other Revenues, decreased $1.4 million or 25.5% in 2000 from $5.6
million in 1999 to $4.2 million in 2000.  The decline is due primarily to the
loss of management contracts for 14 centers owned by Florida Convalescent
Centers, Inc. ("FCC").  The FCC management agreements were terminated
effective July 31, 1999.

     Total costs and expenses for the 2000 second quarter increased $8.1
million or 7.8% to $112.0 million from $103.9 million.  Salaries, wages and
benefits, the largest operating costs of this service company, increased $5.5
million or 9.2% to $65.3 million from $59.8 million. Other operating expenses
increased $1.7 million or 6.3% to $29.6 million for the 2000 period compared
to $27.9 million in the 1999 period.  Rent increased $.1 million or 0.8% to
$12.1 million from $12.0 million.  Depreciation and amortization increased
14.9% to $3.3 million.  Interest costs increased 21.6% to $1.6 million.

     Increases in salaries, wages and benefits are due to increases in
staffing levels due to long-term care bed additions and assisted living
occupancy improvements and expansions.  Further contributing to higher costs
of labor are inflationary increases for salaries and the associated benefits.

     Increases in operating costs are due primarily to the increased number
of beds in operation and the higher occupancies in assisted living and
independent living services.  Rent increases are due primarily to additions at
existing rental properties.

     The total census at owned and leased centers for the quarter averaged
94.1% compared to an average of 93.4% for the same quarter a year ago.


                               15
<PAGE>
                 NATIONAL HEALTHCARE CORPORATION

                          June 30, 2000
                           (Unaudited)


Six Months Ended June 30, 2000 Compared to Six Months Ended June 30, 1999.

     Results for the six month period ended June 30, 2000 include a 7.4%
increase compared to the same period in 1999 in net revenues and a 8.3%
increase in net income.

     The increase in revenues reflect improved PPS rates, improved census
mix, and increases in the number of beds operated in long-term nursing care
operations.

     Compared to the six months a year ago, NHC has increased the number of
owned or leased long-term care beds by 89 beds from 7,887 beds to 7,976 beds.
Also contributing to increased revenues are improved occupancy rates at
assisted living centers and at independent living centers.

     Revenues from managed centers, which are included in the Statements of
Income in Other Revenues, decreased $4.3 million or 37.1% in 2000 from $11.6
million in 1999 to $7.3 million in 2000.  The decline is due primarily to the
loss of management contracts for 14 centers owned by Florida Convalescent
Centers, Inc. ("FCC").  The FCC management agreements were terminated
effective July 31, 1999.

     Total costs and expenses for the 2000 six months increased $15.4 million
or 7.4% to $223.5 million from $208.1 million.  Salaries, wages and benefits,
the largest operating costs of this service company, increased $8.1 million or
6.7% to $129.4 million from $121.3 million. Other operating expenses increased
$5.0 million or 9.0% to $60.1 million for the 2000 period compared to $55.2
million in the 1999 period.  Rent increased $1.0 million or 4.4% to $24.0
million from $23.0 million.  Depreciation and amortization increased 16.7% to
$6.7 million.  Interest costs increased 13.4% to $3.3 million.

     Increases in salaries, wages and benefits are due to increases in
staffing levels due to long-term care bed additions and assisted living
occupancy improvements and expansions.  Further contributing to higher costs
of labor are inflationary increases for salaries and the associated benefits.
Bonus and benefit programs have also been increased compared to the 1999
period.

     Increases in operating costs are due primarily to the increased number
of beds in operation and the higher occupancies in assisted living and
independent living services.  Rent increases are due primarily to additions at
existing rental properties.

     The total census at owned and leased centers for the six months averaged
94.0% compared to an average of 93.4% for the same six months a year ago.


                               16
<PAGE>
                 NATIONAL HEALTHCARE CORPORATION

                          June 30, 2000
                           (Unaudited)


Liquidity and Capital Resources

     NHC generated net cash from operating activities during the first six
months of 2000 totaling $13.2 million compared to $14.8 million in the prior
year period.  The decrease in cash generated from operating activities is due
primarily to an increase in accounts receivable and a decrease in trade
accounts payable as compared to the prior period for the same items, offset in
part by greater increases in depreciation and in the provision for doubtful
accounts receivable than in the previous period.

     Cash flows used in investing activities during the first six months of
2000 totaled $24.3 million compared to $15.4 million used in the same period
in 1999.  Cash used for investments in property, notes receivable, and
marketable securities totaled $26.4 million in 2000 compared to $24.4 million
in 1999.  Collections of notes receivable generated $2.2 million in 2000
compared to $9.2 million in 1999.

     Cash provided by financing activities totaled $14.1 million in the first
six months of 2000 compared to cash used of $6.8 million for the same period
in 1999.  Payments on debt of $2.1 million and decreases in minority interests
in subsidiaries of $3.0 million in 2000 were offset by proceeds from new debt
issuance of $18.0 million and decreases in cash held by trustees of $1.1
million.  In the prior year, cash flows used included $22.4 million for
payments on debt and $1.7 million for increases in cash held by trustees.

     At June 30, 2000, the Company's ratio of long-term obligations and
deferred income to capital is 1.1 to 1.

     NHC has also guaranteed approximately $42.1 million of the debt of
certain health care centers which NHC manages for others.  See Note 4 for
discussion of the possibility of additional liabilities as a result of its
debt guarantees.

     As of June 30, 2000, NHC and NHI were in violation of certain financial
covenants included in a debt instrument originally financed through the
National Health Corporation Leveraged Employee Stock Ownership Plan and Trust.
NHC and NHI have obtained waivers of these defaults for the quarters ended
March 31, 2000 and June 30, 2000.  As of June 30, 2000, the total debt balance
on the loan was $23,214,000, of which $5,303,000 is the primary obligation of
NHC.  NHC is not obligated on nor has NHC guaranteed the remaining balance of
the loan.  As a result of NHI not being rated investment grade, NHI was
delivered a tender notice from the note holders to purchase, between June 10,
2000 and June 16, 2000, the $23,214,000 in outstanding notes.  The note
holders have since rescinded their tender notice effective as of the date such
tender notice was given.  Subsequent to June 30, 2000, NHC purchased the
outstanding notes.  NHC is currently negotiating for the resale of the notes.

                               17
<PAGE>
                NATIONAL HEALTHCARE CORPORATION

                         June 30, 2000
                          (Unaudited)

Cash Dividends

     NHC may pay dividends at the discretion of the Board of Directors.  NHC
does not anticipate paying dividends.


Impact of Inflation

     Reimbursement rates under the Medicare and Medicaid programs generally
reflect the underlying increases in costs and expenses resulting from
inflation.  For this reason, the impact of inflation on profitability has not
been significant.


Health Care Legislation

     During 1997, the Federal government enacted the Balanced Budget Act of
1997 ("BBA"), which requires that skilled nursing facilities transition to a
Prospective Payment System ("PPS") under the Medicare program commencing with
the first cost reporting period beginning on or after July 1, 1998.  Although
PPS went into effect for a small portion of NHC's long-term health care
centers during 1998, PPS was implemented for the vast majority of NHC's
centers beginning January 1, 1999.  PPS has significantly changed the manner
in which NHC's centers are paid for inpatient services provided to Medicare
beneficiaries.  Under PPS, Medicare pays NHC's centers a fixed fee per
Medicare patient per day, based on the acuity level of the patient, to cover
all post-hospital extended care routine service costs, ancillary costs and
capital related costs.  PPS is being phased in over a three-year period.
During the phase-in, payments are based on a blend of each center's specific
historical costs and federally-established per diem rates that are based on
the average costs of all U.S. skilled nursing facilities.  In response to the
Medicare PPS legislative changes, NHC has implemented strategies that have
included a significant reduction in the number of therapy staff positions and
renegotiation at lower rates of supplier contracts for inhalation therapy,
pharmacy, x-ray and medical supplies.  In addition, during November, 1999,
Congress passed the Medicare Refinement Act of 1999  ("MRA-99").  The MRA-99
allows providers to elect to skip the three year phase-in period.  Where
advantageous, NHC has so elected commencing January 1, 2000.







                               18
<PAGE>
                 NATIONAL HEALTHCARE CORPORATION

                          June 30, 2000
                           (Unaudited)

Litigation

Braeuning vs. NHC

     NHC was a defendant in a lawsuit styled Braeuning, et al vs.
National HealthCare L.P., et al filed "under seal" in the U.S. District Court
of the Northern District of Florida on April 9, 1996.  The government
participated as an intervening plaintiff.  By agreement,
the suit was moved from the Pensacola District Court to the Tampa,
Florida, District Court and has now been dismissed, subject to court approval
of a settlement agreement.  The suit alleged that NHC submitted cost reports
and routine cost limit exception requests containing "fraudulent allocation of
routine nursing services to ancillary service cost centers" and also alleged
that NHC improperly allocated skilled nursing service hours in four managed
centers, all in the state of Florida.  The suit was filed under the Qui Tam
provisions of the Federal False Claims Act, commonly referred to as the
"Whistleblower Act".  NHC denied all allegations.

     In regard to the allegations contained in the Braeuning lawsuit, NHC
believes that the cost report information of the centers has been either
appropriately filed or, upon amendment, will reflect adjustments for, among
other items, i) the correction of unintentional misallocations; ii) instances
in which the self audit process has had to use different source documents due
to loss or misplacement of the original source documents and iii)
recalculation of Director of Nursing/Assistant Director of Nursing time based
upon indirect allocation percentages rather than time studies, as were
originally used.  Prior to the filing of the suit, NHC had commenced an
in-depth review of the nursing time allocation process at its owned, leased and
managed centers.  A number of amended cost reports have been filed and NHC has
finalized the self-audit process for years 1995 and 1996.  NHC's self audit
process was approved by the plaintiffs and NHC retained a nationally
recognized accounting firm to review the self audit process.  The cost report
periods reviewed include 1991 through 1996.  The Company has reached a
tentative agreement with the Department of Justice and the Health Care
Financing Administration on the use of certain audit ratios to be used to
calculate the amount of Medicare overpayment or underpayment for years 1991
through  1994; thus avoiding a continuation of the costly self audit process.

     Adjustments to the reimbursable costs claimed will be the responsibility
of the center where costs were incurred, whether owned, leased or managed by
the Company; however, under the terms of NHC's 1998 settlement of litigation
with FCC, NHC has agreed to be responsible for any adjustments to previously
filed Medicare and routine cost limit exceptions related to the 16 FCC
centers.





                               19
<PAGE>
                 NATIONAL HEALTHCARE CORPORATION

                          June 30, 2000
                           (Unaudited)


In return, any receivables owed to FCC thru 1998 are the property of NHC.
Adjustments made to the six centers owned during those years by York Hannover
Nursing Centers, Inc. ("York Hannover") may also be borne by NHC.  Negative
adjustments to managed centers would reduce NHC's management fee (6% of net
revenue)and could result in claims against NHC as manager by the owners in-
cluding damages and termination of the management relationships. Adjustments
to owned or leased centers would directly impact the Company's financial
statements.  NHC intends to continue its revenue policy of not reflecting
routine cost limit exception requests as income until the process, including
cost report audits, is completed.  NHC and the government are aggressively
pursuing an amicable settlement.  Although no written agreement has been
reached, the Company believes the self-audit numbers and ratios plus projected
unrecorded receivables from the government will enable it to finalize the
litigation without a material profit or loss effect.  Of course, until a
written settlement is reached and approved by the Court, an adverse
determination in the lawsuit or an agreed upon settlement could include re-
payments, fines and/or penalties which would have a material negative impact
on the financial position, cash flow and results of operations of NHC.


General Liability Lawsuits

     The long term care industry has seen a dramatic increase in
personal injury/wrongful death claims based on alleged negligence by nursing
homes and their employees in providing care to residents.  This is especially
prevalent in Florida.  As of June 30, 2000, the Company and/or its managed
centers are defendants in 72 such lawsuits in Florida, compared to 33 in all
other states combined.

     On March 31, 1999, after the close of business, the insurance carrier
covering both NHC and the Florida based six facility nursing home chain
managed by NHC (York Hannover) contacted NHC's Florida counsel to advise them
that the jury had returned a verdict in excess of policy limits in
compensatory damages, and the jury indicated that it wanted to assess punitive
damages.  The insurance carrier then entered into a settlement of the
compensatory and punitive claim against the defendants in an amount materially
greater than policy limits and the initial jury verdict.  The settlement was
far in excess of what the insurance carrier could have settled the claim prior
to or during the trial.






                               20
<PAGE>
                 NATIONAL HEALTHCARE CORPORATION

                          June 30, 2000
                           (Unaudited)


     Unsure as to whether the carrier would assert a claim against NHC
and/or the owner or, alternatively, that the carrier would claim that
the coverage be divided between the umbrella policy issued for separate
calendar years, NHC filed for declaratory judgment in the Chancery Court
of Rutherford County, Tennessee.  This action asks the court to find that the
settlement was made in bad faith and that the insurance carrier should be
responsible for the entire amount of the judgment.  The insurance carrier
transferred the case into the federal district court in Nashville, Tennessee
and the York Hannover bankruptcy Trustee filed an identical suit in Tampa,
Florida against the carrier.  The parties have now reached a settlement -
which must receive approval from the York-Hannover Bankruptcy Court - which
removes any possible claim by the carrier against NHC and/or York Hannover for
contribution, and which also results in the reestablishment of a five million
dollar umbrella policy covering all of NHC's owned, leased or managed centers
for 1996.


Customer Bankruptcies

     On November 5, 1999, NHC was informed that a substantial debtor of its
rehabilitation division had filed for Chapter 11 protection in the United
States Bankruptcy/District Court in Wilmington, Delaware.  The debtor is an
affiliate of Lenox Healthcare, Inc. of Pittsfield, Massachusetts.  The debt is
collateralized by second mortgages on certain licensed nursing facilities, a
first lien on certain accounts receivable, and the assignment of a number of
limited partnership and corporate shareholder interests.

     NHC also manages three other nursing homes owned in part by Mr. Tom
Clarke, the owner of Lenox Healthcare, Inc.  Two of the three facilities are
not in bankruptcy and are in compliance with all the terms and conditions of
the Management Agreement.  The third managed facility is located in Carthage,
Tennessee and although the debtor in possession has rejected the management
agreement, is being managed on a month to month basis by NHC.

     NHC is currently a secured and unsecured creditor in the above
bankruptcies, which involve approximately $20,000,000 in account receivables
and notes owed to NHC by the bankrupt estates.  NHC believes that recovering
and collecting from these entities is not possible.  The Company has
historically provided full reserves for these amounts based on its assessments
of the loss exposure to the Company.  The Company is not required to fund
additional amounts to these parties.  The Company expects no additional
charges or expenses.





                               21
<PAGE>
                 NATIONAL HEALTHCARE CORPORATION

                          June 30, 2000
                           (Unaudited)


Guarantees and Related Events


     York Hannover Bankruptcy: NHC had originally guaranteed $5 million of
that certain first mortgage debt made by York Hannover to NHI in December
1993.  York Hannover sought bankruptcy protection in April 1999 and on
December 30, 1999, the six Florida nursing facilities, which secured the NHI
note, were acquired by a subsidiary of the first mortgage lender.  NHC has
remained as a limited ($3 million) guarantor of the outstanding debt plus the
guarantor on a $2,000,000 working capital note, all collateralized by the
pledge of certain marketable securities in the approximate amount of $5
million.  NHC is no longer managing these facilities.  The failure of these
facilities to make their payments on the first mortgage notes could result in
the acceleration of that indebtedness and an attempt by the first mortgage
holder and/or working capital lender to collect their total of $5 million in
guarantees from NHC or the collateral now held by the first mortgage lender.

General

     There is certain additional litigation incidental to NHC's business,
none of which, in management's opinion, would be material to the financial
position or results of operations of NHC.


Item 3.   Quantitative and Qualitative Information About Market Risk

Interest Rate Risk--

     The Company's cash and cash equivalents consist of highly liquid
investments with a maturity of less than three months.  As a result of the
short-term nature of the Company's cash instruments, a hypothetical 10% change
in interest rates would have no impact on the Company's future earnings and
cash flows related to these instruments.  A hypothetical 10% change in
interest rates would also have an immaterial impact on the fair values of
these instruments.  Approximately $10.6 million of the Company's notes
receivable bear interest at fixed interest rates.  As the interest rates on
these notes receivable are fixed, a hypothetical 10% change in interest rates
would have no impact on the Company's future earnings and cash flows related
to these instruments.  A hypothetical 10% change in interest rates would also
have an immaterial impact on the fair values of these instruments.
Approximately $16.9 million of the Company's notes receivable bear interest at
variable rates  (generally at prime plus 2%). Because the interest rates of
these instruments





                               22
<PAGE>
                 NATIONAL HEALTHCARE CORPORATION

                          June 30, 2000
                           (Unaudited)



are variable, a hypothetical 10% change in interest rates would result in a
related increase or decrease in interest income of approximately $161,000.
However, a hypothetical 10% change in interest rates would have an immaterial
impact on the fair values of these instruments.  As of June 30, 2000, $36.3
million of the Company's long-term debt and debt serviced by other parties
bear interest at fixed interest rates. Because the interest rates of these
instruments are fixed, a hypothetical 10% change in interest rates would have
no impact on the Company's future earnings and cash flows related to these
instruments.  A hypothetical 10% change in interest rates would have an
immaterial impact on the fair values of these instruments.  The remaining
$46.8 million of the Company's long-term debt and debt serviced by other
parties bear interest at variable rates.  Because the interest rates of these
instruments are variable, a hypothetical 10% change in interest rates would
result in a related increase or decrease in interest expense of approximately
$313,000.  However, a hypothetical 10% change in interest rates would have an
immaterial impact on the fair value of these instruments.  The Company does
not currently use any derivative instruments to hedge its interest rate
exposure.  The Company has not used derivative instruments for trading
purposes and the use of such instruments in the future would be subject to
strict approvals by the Company's senior officers.  Therefore, the Company's
exposure related to such derivative instruments is not material to the
Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Equity Price Risk--

     The Company considers its investments in marketable securities as
available for sale securities and unrealized gains and losses are recorded in
stockholders' equity in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards No. 115.  The investments in marketable securities are recorded at
their fair market value based on quoted market prices.  Thus, there is
exposure to equity price risk, which is the potential change in fair value due
to a change in quoted market price. Hypothetically, a 10% change in quoted
market prices would result in a related 10% change in the fair value of the
Company's investments in marketable securities.



                   PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.   Legal Proceedings.

          For a discussion of prior, current and pending litigation of
          material significance to NHC, please see Note 5, page 12, of this
          Form 10-Q.



                               23
<PAGE>
                 NATIONAL HEALTHCARE CORPORATION

                          June 30, 2000
                           (Unaudited)



Item 2.   Changes in Securities.  Not applicable


Item 3.   Defaults Upon Senior Securities.  None


Item 4.   Submission of Matters to Vote of Security Holders.

          (a)  The annual meeting of the shareholders was held on May 24,
               2000.

          (b)  Matters voted upon at the meeting are as follows:

          PROPOSAL NO. 1:  Election of Olin O. Williams and Robert G. Adams
          to serve as directors for terms of three years or until their
          successors have been fully elected and qualified.  Other directors
          whose terms of office  continue are Mr. Lawrence C. Tucker, Ernest
          G. Burgess, III, W. Andrew Adams, Dr. J. K. Twilla and Mr. Richard
          F. LaRoche, Jr.

                              Voting For     Withholding    Percent For
                                              Authority
          Olin O. Williams    8,816,147         10,180         76.4%
          Robert G. Adams     8,816,147        205,588         76.4%

          PROPOSAL NO. 2: Ratify the appointment of Arthur Andersen LLP as
          the Company's independent accountants for the fiscal year 2000.

               Voting For     Voting Against Abstaining     Percent For

               9,013,098           1,933        1,592           78.1%


Item 5.   Other Information.  None


Item 6.   Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K.

          (a)  List of exhibits - Exhibit 27 - Financial Data Schedule (for
               SEC purposes only)
          (b)  Reports on Form 8-K.  None






                               24
<PAGE>
                NATIONAL HEALTHCARE CORPORATION

                         June 30, 2000
                          (Unaudited)


                           SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Security Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.


                                        NATIONAL HEALTHCARE CORPORATION
                                         (Registrant)


Date   August 11, 2000                  /s/ Richard F. LaRoche, Jr.
                                        Richard F. LaRoche, Jr.
                                        Secretary


Date   August 11, 2000                  /s/ Donald K. Daniel
                                        Donald K. Daniel
                                        Vice President and Controller
                                        Principal Accounting Officer




























                                25


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