<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF RENAL CARE GROUP, INC. FOR THE SIX MONTHS
ENDED JUNE 30, 1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.


<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1999
<CASH>                                          23,508
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   98,048
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     10,052
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               149,336
<PP&E>                                         113,975
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 474,679
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           88,374
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           450
<OTHER-SE>                                     277,369
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   277,819
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               260,541
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  169,150
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                45,309
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 6,924
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               3,207
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 35,951
<INCOME-TAX>                                    14,603
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             21,348
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    21,348
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.48
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.45