content: Total Number of Pages:  7
  Exhibit Index on Sequential Page No.:  3
  
  
  
  
                         SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
  
                               Washington, D.C. 20549
  
  
  
  
                                      FORM 8-K
  
                                   CURRENT REPORT
  
  
  
  
                         Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
                         the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
  
  
         Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): October 29, 1996
                                                          -------------------
  
  
                                  ORNDA HEALTHCORP
               (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
  
  
                                      DELAWARE
                   (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)
  
  
          1-11591                                          75-1776092
  (Commission File Number)                      (IRS Employer Identification No.)
  
  3401 West End Avenue, Nashville, Tennessee                 37203
  (Address of principal executive office)                  (Zip Code)
  
  Registrant's telephone number, including area code:  (615) 383-8599
  <PAGE>
  Item 5.  Other Events.
  
           The Registrant hereby incorporates by reference the information about
  the Registrant set forth in Exhibit 99 attached hereto.
  
  Item 7.   Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits.
  
            (c)  Exhibits.
  
                 99  The first three pages of Registrant's news release dated
                     October 29, 1996.
  
  
                                     SIGNATURES
  
           Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
  the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
  undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
  
                                         ORNDA HEALTHCORP
  
                                         By:/s/Ronald P. Soltman
                                               Ronald P. Soltman
                                               Senior Vice President
  
  Date:    October 31, 1996
  
                                         -2-
  <PAGE>
                                    EXHIBIT INDEX
  
                                                                       Sequential
                                                                         Page No.
  
  No.  Subject Matter
  
  99   The first three pages of Registrant's news release
       dated October 29, 1996...................................................4
  
                                         -3-
  <PAGE>
                                                                       Exhibit 99
  
                                         -4-
  <PAGE>
  [OrNda Letterhead]
  
  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
  
  Contact:          Keith B. Pitts
                    Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
                      or
                    Thomas A. Bartels
                    Director of Investor Relations
                    OrNda HealthCorp
                    (615) 383-8599
  
  
                  ORNDA HEALTHCORP REPORTS FISCAL 1996 EPS OF $1.73
       -----------------------------------------------------------------------
  
                             FOURTH QUARTER EPS OF $0.39
  
  
  NASHVILLE, Tennessee (October 29, 1996) -- OrNda HealthCorp (NYSE:ORN) today
  reported that net income for the three months ended August 31, 1996, increased
  45.5% to $23.2 million from $16.0 million in the fourth quarter of last year.
  Earnings per share rose to $0.39 for the fourth quarter ended August 31, 1996,
  on 60.1 million weighted average common and common equivalent shares, compared
  with $0.34 for the same period last year on 46.1 million weighted average common
  and common equivalent shares. Revenue for the fourth quarter of fiscal 1996 was
  $552.9 million compared with $484.1 million in last year's fourth quarter, up
  14.2%. OrNda's EBITDA margin improved to 15.9% for the fourth quarter of fiscal
  1996 compared with 13.5% in the same period last year.
  
           Net income increased to $99.9 million for the year ended August 31,
  1996, compared with $71.3 million in fiscal 1995, representing an increase of
  40.0%. Income from continuing operations for the year ended August 31, 1996,
  increased to $99.9 million from $70.7 million for the same period in the prior
  year, an increase of 41.2%. Earnings per share for the year ended August 31,
  1996, rose to $1.73 on 57.5 million weighted average common and common
  equivalent shares from $1.53 on 45.3 million weighted average common and common
  equivalent shares for the same period last year. For the year ended August 31,
  1996, revenues were $2.1 billion compared with $1.8 billion last year. The
  Company's EBITDA margin for fiscal 1996 increased to 15.7% from 14.2% for fiscal
  1995. On a fully diluted basis, earnings per share for the years ended August
  31, 1996 and 1995, were $1.72 and $1.51, respectively.
  
           For the fourth quarter, on a same-hospital basis, revenues increased by
  4.5%, admissions increased by 1.5%, and adjusted admissions increased by 3.9%
  over the prior year. For the year ended August 31, 1996, same-hospital revenues
  rose by 6.1%. Same hospital admissions rose by 2.9%, and adjusted admissions
  rose by 6.2% over the prior year.
  
                                      - MORE -
  <PAGE>
  ORN Reports Third Quarter Results
  Page 2
  October 29, 1996
  
  
           Charles N. Martin, Jr., chairman, president and chief executive officer
  of OrNda HealthCorp, said, "We are particularly pleased about the progress we
  made in the fourth quarter which we believe is an indication of our ability to
  successfully manage our facilities in a very dynamic marketplace. We made
  significant progress in strengthening our existing delivery networks,
  particularly in the Los Angeles area. Additionally, we continued to demonstrate
  our ability to improve and integrate our new and existing facilities, as can be
  seen by the continued improvement in same-hospital revenues, margins and
  admissions."
  
           During the fourth quarter, OrNda completed three previously announced
  acquisitions: (1) Cypress Fairbanks Medical Center, a 149-bed acute care
  hospital in Houston, Texas; (2) Westside Hospital, a 66-bed facility located in
  Los Angeles, California; and (3) Centinela Hospital Medical Center, a 400-bed
  acute care facility in Inglewood, California, and related healthcare businesses.
  
           Also in the fourth quarter, OrNda announced the signing of a letter of
  intent with United Western Medical Centers, a not-for-profit corporation located
  in Orange County, California, to acquire substantially all of United's assets
  consisting primarily of 288-bed Western Medical Center-Santa Ana, 193-bed
  Western Medical Center-Anaheim, and a 202-bed skilled nursing facility, Western
  Medical Center-Bartlett.
  
           Additionally, subsequent to the Company's fiscal year-end, OrNda
  completed the acquisition of The Fallon Healthcare System's Saint Vincent
  Healthcare System in Worcester, Massachusetts, consisting of a 432-bed acute
  care teaching hospital, three skilled nursing facilities and other healthcare
  related companies, and a minority interest in the 280-member multi-specialty
  group physician practice. Under the terms of the Fallon transaction, OrNda will
  also fund the construction of a new replacement hospital, known as Medical City,
  which will be located in downtown Worcester, Massachusetts.
  
           On October 17, 1996, Tenet Healthcare Corporation (NYSE:THC) and OrNda
  announced the signing of a definitive merger agreement under which Tenet will
  acquire OrNda. Under the terms of the agreement, which has been approved by the
  boards of both companies, OrNda shareholders will receive 1.35 shares of Tenet
  common stock for each share of OrNda stock in a tax-free exchange. The companies
  hope to close the transaction in early March 1997, subject to approval of
  shareholders of both companies, review under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust
  Improvements Act and other customary regulatory approvals. This transaction will
  create a consolidated company with proforma revenues of approximately $8.5
  billion, operating 126 hospitals in 22 states. Including the assumption of
  OrNda's debt, the transaction values OrNda at more than $3.1 billion.
  <PAGE>
  ORN Reports Third Quarter Results
  Page 3
  October 29, 1996
  
           Additionally, on October 26, 1996, The George Washington University and
  OrNda announced that they had signed a letter of intent to form an 80/20
  (OrNda/GWU) partnership to operate the University's 170-year old academic
  medical hospital in Washington, D.C. Under the proposed agreement, which is
  subject to Board and regulatory approvals, the hospital will continue its
  educational mission and charity care, as well as improve its facilities and
  create a comprehensive integrated healthcare delivery network. The George
  Washington University Medical Center is a nationally recognized acute care
  teaching facility located in the Foggy Bottom area of Washington, D.C.
  
           In closing, Mr. Martin said, "We are extremely pleased with OrNda's
  performance in fiscal 1996. Our financial and growth objectives were achieved or
  exceeded, which allowed us greater flexibility to pursue our strategic
  affiliations and acquisitions. Our strategy of creating comprehensive integrated
  healthcare delivery systems, which deliver quality healthcare in a low-cost
  environment, is clearly becoming more visible, as further evidenced by our
  agreement to merge with Tenet."
  
           OrNda HealthCorp, based in Nashville, Tennessee, is the third largest
  investor-owned hospital management company in the United States. It is a leading
  provider of healthcare services, delivering a broad range of inpatient and
  outpatient healthcare services principally through the operation of 50 hospitals
  located in urban and suburban communities in 15 states. For additional
  information on the Company, visit OrNda HealthCorp's Web site:
  http://www.orndahealth.com
  
                                        -###-
  
  Additional Media Contact:  Paula Lovell
                             Lovell Communications Inc.
                             (615) 297-7766
metadata_documents: [{"type": "8-K", "sequence": "1", "secsgml_size_bytes": 10091}]
metadata_filer: {"company-data": {"conformed-name": "ORNDA HEALTHCORP", "cik": "0000719242", "assigned-sic": "8062", "irs-number": "751776092", "state-of-incorporation": "DE", "fiscal-year-end": "0831"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "8-K", "act": "34", "file-number": "001-11591", "film-number": "96651022"}, "business-address": {"street1": "3401 W END AVE STE 700", "city": "NASHVILLE", "state": "TN", "zip": "37203-1042", "phone": "6153838599"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "3401 WEST END AVE", "street2": "SUITE 700", "city": "NASHVILLE", "state": "TN", "zip": "37203-1042"}, "former-company": {"former-conformed-name": "REPUBLIC HEALTH CORP", "date-changed": "19920415"}}
text: Total Number of Pages:  7
  Exhibit Index on Sequential Page No.:  3
  
                         SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
  
                               Washington, D.C. 20549
  
                                      FORM 8-K
  
                                   CURRENT REPORT
  
                         Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
                         the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
  
         Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): October 29, 1996
                                                          -------------------
  
                                  ORNDA HEALTHCORP
               (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
  
                                      DELAWARE
                   (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)
  
          1-11591                                          75-1776092
  (Commission File Number)                      (IRS Employer Identification No.)
  
  3401 West End Avenue, Nashville, Tennessee                 37203
  (Address of principal executive office)                  (Zip Code)
  
  Registrant's telephone number, including area code:  (615) 383-8599
  Item 5.  Other Events.
  
           The Registrant hereby incorporates by reference the information about
  the Registrant set forth in Exhibit 99 attached hereto.
  
  Item 7.   Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits.
  
            (c)  Exhibits.
  
                 99  The first three pages of Registrant's news release dated
                     October 29, 1996.
  
                                     SIGNATURES
  
           Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
  the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
  undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
  
                                         ORNDA HEALTHCORP
  
                                         By:/s/Ronald P. Soltman
                                               Ronald P. Soltman
                                               Senior Vice President
  
  Date:    October 31, 1996
  
                                         -2-
  EXHIBIT INDEX
  
                                                                       Sequential
                                                                         Page No.
  
  No.  Subject Matter
  
  99   The first three pages of Registrant's news release
       dated October 29, 1996...................................................4
  
                                         -3-
  Exhibit 99
  
                                         -4-
  [OrNda Letterhead]
  
  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
  
  Contact:          Keith B. Pitts
                    Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
                      or
                    Thomas A. Bartels
                    Director of Investor Relations
                    OrNda HealthCorp
                    (615) 383-8599
  
                  ORNDA HEALTHCORP REPORTS FISCAL 1996 EPS OF $1.73
       -----------------------------------------------------------------------
  
                             FOURTH QUARTER EPS OF $0.39
  
  NASHVILLE, Tennessee (October 29, 1996) -- OrNda HealthCorp (NYSE:ORN) today
  reported that net income for the three months ended August 31, 1996, increased
  45.5% to $23.2 million from $16.0 million in the fourth quarter of last year.
  Earnings per share rose to $0.39 for the fourth quarter ended August 31, 1996,
  on 60.1 million weighted average common and common equivalent shares, compared
  with $0.34 for the same period last year on 46.1 million weighted average common
  and common equivalent shares. Revenue for the fourth quarter of fiscal 1996 was
  $552.9 million compared with $484.1 million in last year's fourth quarter, up
  14.2%. OrNda's EBITDA margin improved to 15.9% for the fourth quarter of fiscal
  1996 compared with 13.5% in the same period last year.
  
           Net income increased to $99.9 million for the year ended August 31,
  1996, compared with $71.3 million in fiscal 1995, representing an increase of
  40.0%. Income from continuing operations for the year ended August 31, 1996,
  increased to $99.9 million from $70.7 million for the same period in the prior
  year, an increase of 41.2%. Earnings per share for the year ended August 31,
  1996, rose to $1.73 on 57.5 million weighted average common and common
  equivalent shares from $1.53 on 45.3 million weighted average common and common
  equivalent shares for the same period last year. For the year ended August 31,
  1996, revenues were $2.1 billion compared with $1.8 billion last year. The
  Company's EBITDA margin for fiscal 1996 increased to 15.7% from 14.2% for fiscal
  1995. On a fully diluted basis, earnings per share for the years ended August
  31, 1996 and 1995, were $1.72 and $1.51, respectively.
  
           For the fourth quarter, on a same-hospital basis, revenues increased by
  4.5%, admissions increased by 1.5%, and adjusted admissions increased by 3.9%
  over the prior year. For the year ended August 31, 1996, same-hospital revenues
  rose by 6.1%. Same hospital admissions rose by 2.9%, and adjusted admissions
  rose by 6.2% over the prior year.
  
                                      - MORE -
  ORN Reports Third Quarter Results
  Page 2
  October 29, 1996
  
           Charles N. Martin, Jr., chairman, president and chief executive officer
  of OrNda HealthCorp, said, "We are particularly pleased about the progress we
  made in the fourth quarter which we believe is an indication of our ability to
  successfully manage our facilities in a very dynamic marketplace. We made
  significant progress in strengthening our existing delivery networks,
  particularly in the Los Angeles area. Additionally, we continued to demonstrate
  our ability to improve and integrate our new and existing facilities, as can be
  seen by the continued improvement in same-hospital revenues, margins and
  admissions."
  
           During the fourth quarter, OrNda completed three previously announced
  acquisitions: (1) Cypress Fairbanks Medical Center, a 149-bed acute care
  hospital in Houston, Texas; (2) Westside Hospital, a 66-bed facility located in
  Los Angeles, California; and (3) Centinela Hospital Medical Center, a 400-bed
  acute care facility in Inglewood, California, and related healthcare businesses.
  
           Also in the fourth quarter, OrNda announced the signing of a letter of
  intent with United Western Medical Centers, a not-for-profit corporation located
  in Orange County, California, to acquire substantially all of United's assets
  consisting primarily of 288-bed Western Medical Center-Santa Ana, 193-bed
  Western Medical Center-Anaheim, and a 202-bed skilled nursing facility, Western
  Medical Center-Bartlett.
  
           Additionally, subsequent to the Company's fiscal year-end, OrNda
  completed the acquisition of The Fallon Healthcare System's Saint Vincent
  Healthcare System in Worcester, Massachusetts, consisting of a 432-bed acute
  care teaching hospital, three skilled nursing facilities and other healthcare
  related companies, and a minority interest in the 280-member multi-specialty
  group physician practice. Under the terms of the Fallon transaction, OrNda will
  also fund the construction of a new replacement hospital, known as Medical City,
  which will be located in downtown Worcester, Massachusetts.
  
           On October 17, 1996, Tenet Healthcare Corporation (NYSE:THC) and OrNda
  announced the signing of a definitive merger agreement under which Tenet will
  acquire OrNda. Under the terms of the agreement, which has been approved by the
  boards of both companies, OrNda shareholders will receive 1.35 shares of Tenet
  common stock for each share of OrNda stock in a tax-free exchange. The companies
  hope to close the transaction in early March 1997, subject to approval of
  shareholders of both companies, review under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust
  Improvements Act and other customary regulatory approvals. This transaction will
  create a consolidated company with proforma revenues of approximately $8.5
  billion, operating 126 hospitals in 22 states. Including the assumption of
  OrNda's debt, the transaction values OrNda at more than $3.1 billion.
  ORN Reports Third Quarter Results
  Page 3
  October 29, 1996
  
           Additionally, on October 26, 1996, The George Washington University and
  OrNda announced that they had signed a letter of intent to form an 80/20
  (OrNda/GWU) partnership to operate the University's 170-year old academic
  medical hospital in Washington, D.C. Under the proposed agreement, which is
  subject to Board and regulatory approvals, the hospital will continue its
  educational mission and charity care, as well as improve its facilities and
  create a comprehensive integrated healthcare delivery network. The George
  Washington University Medical Center is a nationally recognized acute care
  teaching facility located in the Foggy Bottom area of Washington, D.C.
  
           In closing, Mr. Martin said, "We are extremely pleased with OrNda's
  performance in fiscal 1996. Our financial and growth objectives were achieved or
  exceeded, which allowed us greater flexibility to pursue our strategic
  affiliations and acquisitions. Our strategy of creating comprehensive integrated
  healthcare delivery systems, which deliver quality healthcare in a low-cost
  environment, is clearly becoming more visible, as further evidenced by our
  agreement to merge with Tenet."
  
           OrNda HealthCorp, based in Nashville, Tennessee, is the third largest
  investor-owned hospital management company in the United States. It is a leading
  provider of healthcare services, delivering a broad range of inpatient and
  outpatient healthcare services principally through the operation of 50 hospitals
  located in urban and suburban communities in 15 states. For additional
  information on the Company, visit OrNda HealthCorp's Web site:
  http://www.orndahealth.com
  
                                        -###-
  
  Additional Media Contact:  Paula Lovell
                             Lovell Communications Inc.
                             (615) 297-7766