NAT'L HEALTHCARE &lt;NHCI> TO SELL FIVE HOSPITALS

  National Heathcare Inc said it
  signed an agreement to sell five rural hospitals to a private
  corporation for about 18 mln dlrs, including the assumption of
  six mln dlrs of debt.
      The company said it plans to complete the sales, which are
  subject to various regulatory approvals, by the end of July.
      National Healthcare said it expects no material gain on
  loss on the sales and that substantially all proceeds will be
  used to reduce debt.
  

