<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND BALANCE SHEETS OF HCA -- THE HEALTHCARE COMPANY
FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2000 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END> JUN-30-2000
<CASH> 292
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 3,598
<ALLOWANCES> 1,552
<INVENTORY> 389
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 4,038
<PP&E> 14,817
<DEPRECIATION> 5,984
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 17,692
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 3,631
<BONDS> 6,276
0
0
<COMMON> 6
<OTHER-SE> 5,373
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 17,692
<SALES> 0
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 8,404
<CGS> 0
<TOTAL-COSTS> 4,631
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 1,532
<LOSS-PROVISION> 601
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 255
<INCOME-PRETAX> 122
<INCOME-TAX> 98
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 24
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 24
<EPS-BASIC> 0.04
<EPS-DILUTED> 0.04
</TABLE>