8-K

 
                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                            WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549

                      ----------------------------------


                                   FORM 8-K
                                CURRENT REPORT


                        Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
                    of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934


Date of Report                                                     July 25, 1997
(Date of Earliest Event Reported)

                      COLUMBIA/HCA HEALTHCARE CORPORATION
            (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its Charter)


                                   DELAWARE
                           (State of Incorporation)


 001-11239                                                       75-2497104
(Commission                                                   (I.R.S. Employer
File Number)                                                 Identification No.)



One Park Plaza, Nashville, Tennessee                                 37203
(Address of principal executive offices)                          (Zip Code)

                                (615) 327-9551
             (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)



 
ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS

        On July 25, 1997, Columbia/HCA Healthcare Corporation announced the 
resignations of Richard L. Scott, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and a 
Director; and David T. Vandewater, President and Chief Operating Officer, 
effective immediately. Thomas F. Frist, Jr., M.D., Vice Chairman of the 
Company's board, has been named Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.


ITEM 7. EXHIBIT

        Exhibit 20.  Copy of the press release dated July 25, 1997


                                   SIGNATURE

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934,
the Registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the 
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

COLUMBIA/HCA HEALTHCARE CORPORATION

/s/ STEPHEN T. BRAUN
- -----------------------------------------
Stephen T. Braun
Senior Vice President and General Counsel

DATED:  July 25, 1997

EX-20

 
                                                                      EXHIBIT 20


  [COLUMBIA/HCA HEALTHCARE CORPORATION NEWS RELEASE LETTERHEAD APPEARS HERE]

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

INVESTOR CONTACT:               MEDIA CONTACTS:
Victor L. Campbell              Eve Hutcherson         Sue Atkinson
Columbia                        Columbia               Atkinson Public Relations
615/344-2053                    615/344-2737           615/320-7532

CONTACTS FOR SCOTT & VANDEWATER:
Edward Nebb/Eric Starkman
Morgan-Walke Associates
212/850-5600

                     SCOTT, VANDEWATER RESIGN AT COLUMBIA;
                         FRIST NAMED CHAIRMAN AND CEO

NASHVILLE, TENN - JULY 25, 1997 -- Columbia/HCA Healthcare Corporation (NYSE: 
COL) today announced the resignations of Richard L. Scott, chairman, chief 
executive officer, and a director; and David T. Vandewater, president and chief
operating officer, effective immediately.

     Thomas F. Frist, Jr., M.D., vice chairman of the company's board, has been 
named chairman and chief executive officer.  Frist has been a leader in the 
healthcare industry for 30 years.

     The resignations were offered by the two executives, and accepted by the 
board.  Both executives emphasized that throughout their tenure they have acted 
honorably and in the best interests of the company.

     Scott said, "Since founding Columbia, we have been dedicated to improving 
healthcare through a focus on quality care.  At the same time, we have had a 
strong emphasis on creating value for shareholders.  Though the decision to 
resign was an extremely difficult one, we consider it to be the ultimate 
demonstration of our commitment to Columbia's mission."

     "Rick and David have been catalysts in addressing the growing healthcare 
challenges in this country.  We are grateful for their tireless efforts and 
contributions to improving the quality of healthcare in this country," Frist 
said.

     "Our board and management will be focusing on providing full cooperation 
with all governmental agencies.  We will also ensure that all Columbia 
facilities and employees are in full compliance with the law," Frist said.
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