<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND> This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from
the financial statements of National Surgery Centers for the year ended December
31, 1997 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial
statements.
</LEGEND>

<S>                             <C>                       <C>                      <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR                      YEAR                     YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                         DEC-31-1997               DEC-31-1996              DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-START>                            JAN-01-1997               JAN-01-1996              JAN-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                              DEC-31-1997               DEC-31-1996              DEC-31-1995
<CASH>                                     14,919,000                 9,721,000               14,653,000
<SECURITIES>                               17,700,000                41,614,000                8,190,000
<RECEIVABLES>                              23,368,000                14,946,000                9,931,000
<ALLOWANCES>                                4,027,000                 1,723,000                1,167,000
<INVENTORY>                                 3,838,000                 2,548,000                2,154,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           57,490,000                70,213,000               34,601,000
<PP&E>                                     55,392,000                44,167,000               32,310,000
<DEPRECIATION>                             16,047,000                10,805,000                6,758,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                            169,951,000               142,252,000               82,287,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                      11,324,000                10,245,000               12,456,000
<BONDS>                                    10,466,000                 6,990,000               17,005,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                               0                         0                        0
<PREFERRED>                                         0                         0                        0
<COMMON>                                      185,000                   119,000                   56,000
<OTHER-SE>                                136,610,000               117,550,000               48,136,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>              169,951,000               142,252,000               82,287,000
<SALES>                                   102,632,000                77,359,000               53,165,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                          102,632,000                77,359,000               53,165,000
<CGS>                                      75,712,000                60,154,000               42,928,000
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              75,712,000                60,154,000               42,928,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                            5,791,000                 2,596,000                1,018,000
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    0                         0                        0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                          1,025,000                 2,616,000                4,139,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                            20,104,000                11,993,000                5,157,000
<INCOME-TAX>                                7,515,000                 4,616,000                1,981,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                        12,589,000                 7,377,000                3,099,000
<DISCONTINUED>                                      0                         0                        0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                               138,000                   463,000                  253,000
<CHANGES>                                           0                         0                        0
<NET-INCOME>                               12,451,000                 6,914,000                2,846,000
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    0.69                      0.50                     0.35
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    0.66                      0.47                     0.35


</TABLE>