FOR YOUR INFORMATION...................January 12, 1988


     Hospital Corp. of America has asked the Federal Trade
Commission to approve the proposed sale of North Park Hospital in
Hamilton County, Tenn., to HealthCorp Inc.
     Commission approval of the divestiture is required by an FTC
order that became final in 1987.  Under that order, HCA must
divest North Park Hospital and Diagnostic Center Hospital, both
in the Chattanooga, Tenn., area.  The order stems from a 1982
complaint challenging HCA's acquisition of two hospital chains.
     HealthCorp, based in Chattanooga, operates four hospitals in
Alabama and Arkansas.  HCA is based in Nashville, Tenn.
     The petition will be subject to public comment for 30 days,
until Feb. 11.  Comments should be addressed to Office of the
Secretary, Federal Trade Commission, 6th St. and Pennsylvania
Ave. N.W., Washington, D.C. 20580.
     Copies of the petition are available from the FTC's Public
Reference Branch, Room 130, same address; 202-326-2222; TTY 202-
326-2502.

                              # # #


MEDIA CONTACT:     Susan Ticknor, Office of Public Affairs,
                   202-326-2181

STAFF CONTACT:     Toby Singer, Bureau of Competition,
                   202-326-2762

(HCADiv)

(Docket No.9161)