Pricing Supplement dated August 18, 1994                          Rule 424(b)(2)
(To Prospectus dated May 13, 1994 and                          File No. 33-53409
Prospectus Supplement dated July 11, 1994)


                      COLUMBIA/HCA HEALTHCARE CORPORATION
                        Medium-Term Notes -- Fixed Rate


================================================================================

Principal Amount: $55,000,000              Interest Rate: 8.050%

Agent's Discount or Commission: .625%      Stated Maturity Date: August 25, 2006
 of principal amount

Net Proceeds to Issuer: $54,626,250        Original Issue Date: August 25, 1994

================================================================================

Interest Payment Dates: June 15 and December 15

Redemption:

   [X] The Notes cannot be redeemed prior to the Stated Maturity Date.
   [ ] The Notes may be redeemed prior to the Stated Maturity Date.
       Initial Redemption Date:
       Initial Redemption Percentage:
       Annual Redemption Percentage Reduction:_____% until Redemption Percentage
        is 100% of the principal amount.

Repayment:
   [X] The Notes cannot be repaid prior to the Stated Maturity Date.
   [ ] The Notes can be repaid prior to the Stated Maturity Date at the option
        of the holder of the Notes.
       Option Repayment Dates:
       Repayment Price: _____%

Currency:
   Specified Currency: U.S. Dollars
    (If other than U.S. dollars, see attached)

   Minimum Denominations:
    (Applicable only if Specified Currency is other than U.S. dollars)

Original Issue Discount:  [ ] Yes  [X] No
   Total Amount of OID:
   Yield to Maturity:
   Initial Accrual Period

Form:  [X] Book-Entry    [ ] Certificated

Agents: [X] Merrill Lynch, & Co., Goldman, Sachs & Co., Lehman Brothers Inc.,
             Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, and Salomon Brothers Inc 
        [X] Other

Agent acting in the capacity as indicated below:
       [ ] Agent         [X] Principal

If as principal:

       [X] The Notes are being offered at varying prices related to prevailing 
            market prices at the time of resale.
       [ ] The Notes are being offered at a fixed initial public offering price 
            of 100% of principal amount.

If as Agent:

Other Provisions:
   See attached.





 
                                 UNDERWRITING

     Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Distribution 
Agreement, the Company has agreed to sell to the Underwriters named below (the 
"Underwriters"), and each of the Underwriters has severally agreed to purchase 
from the Company, the respective principal amounts of the Notes set forth below.

 
 
                  Underwriter                                Principal Amount
                  -----------                                ----------------
                                                             
  Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated.......    $10,000,000
  Goldman, Sachs & Co. ....................................     10,000,000  
  Lehman Brothers Inc. ....................................     10,000,000
  Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated .......................     10,000,000
  Salomon Brothers Inc ....................................     10,000,000
  Donaldson, Lufkin, & Jenrette Securities Corporation ....      5,000,000
                                                                ----------
                                                               $55,000,000
                                                                ==========
 

     In the Distribution Agreement, the Underwriters have agreed, subject to the
terms and conditions set forth therein, to purchase all the Notes offered hereby
if any of the Notes are purchased.  The Company has been advised by the 
Underwriters that they propose initially to offer the Notes to the public at the
public offering price set forth on the cover page of this Pricing Supplement and
to certain dealers at such public offering price less a concession not in excess
of .625% of the principal amount of the Notes. The Underwriters may allow, and 
such dealers may reallow, a discount not in excess of .10% of the principal
amount of the Notes to certain other dealers. After the initial public offering
of the Notes the public offering price and concession and discount to dealers
may be changed by the Underwriters.

     The Notes are a new issue of securities with no established trading market.
The Company currently has no intention to list the Notes on any securities 
exchange.  The Company has been advised by the Underwriters that they intend to 
make a market in the Notes, but are not obligated to do so and may discontinue 
any market making at any time without notice.  No assurance can be given as to 
the liquidity of the trading market for the Notes.

     The Company has agreed to indemnify the Underwriters against certain 
liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

     From time to time the Underwriters have provided, and continue to provide, 
investment banking services to the Company.