<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM VENCOR, INC.'S
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, 2000 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-2000
<CASH> 203,947
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 292,654
<ALLOWANCES> (178,605)
<INVENTORY> 28,869
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 666,251
<PP&E> 645,874
<DEPRECIATION> (286,146)
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,263,145
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 394,683
<BONDS> 0
1,743
0
<COMMON> 17,566
<OTHER-SE> (444,120)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 1,263,145
<SALES> 0
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 2,146,133
<CGS> 0
<TOTAL-COSTS> 1,714,352
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 348,829
<LOSS-PROVISION> 23,496
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 45,317
<INCOME-PRETAX> (46,027)
<INCOME-TAX> 1,500
<INCOME-CONTINUING> (47,527)
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> (47,527)
<EPS-BASIC> (0.69)
<EPS-DILUTED> (0.69)
</TABLE>