<TABLE> <S> <C>
                                              
<ARTICLE>                                          5
<LEGEND>                                      
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Financial Condition at December 31, 1996
(Unaudited) and the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income for the
three months ended December 31, 1996 (Unaudited) and is qualified in its
entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>                                     
<CIK>                                        0000931782
<NAME>                                       MedCath Incorporated
<MULTIPLIER>                                                         1
<CURRENCY>                                         U.S. Dollars
                                                    
<S>                                                  <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                      3-Mos
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                  Sep-30-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                       Dec-31-1996
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                                      1
<CASH>                                                       7,122,549
<SECURITIES>                                                51,339,970
<RECEIVABLES>                                               14,495,603
<ALLOWANCES>                                                  (552,914)
<INVENTORY>                                                  1,567,873
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                            75,070,210
<PP&E>                                                      97,061,815
<DEPRECIATION>                                             (14,218,482)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                             199,368,803
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                       10,515,767
<BONDS>                                                     57,056,487
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                0
<PREFERRED>                                                          0
<COMMON>                                                       111,467
<OTHER-SE>                                                 121,977,879
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                               199,368,803
<SALES>                                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                            22,854,453
<CGS>                                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                               14,739,757
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                             4,142,522
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                               450,967
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                            (702,413)
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                              2,923,760
<INCOME-TAX>                                                 1,169,504
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                          1,754,256
<DISCONTINUED>                                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                      0
<CHANGES>                                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                                 1,754,256
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                        0.15
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                        0.15
        
 

</TABLE>