NY -- Standard&Poor's CreditWire 1/17/96 -- Standard&Poor's raises its corporate credit rating of Community Health Systems Inc. (CYH) to double- `B' from double-`B'-minus and its rating on the company's $100 million 10.25% subordinated debentures to single-`B'-plus from single-`B'. The upgrade reflects Community Health System's (CYH) successful integration of Hallmark Healthcare Corp.'s hospitals and improved profitability. Brentwood, Tenn.-based CYH operates 41 predominantly small hospitals located in rural locations in 17 states. The October 1994 pooling merger with Hallmark nearly doubled the portfolio of hospitals, providing the combined entity greater diversity and increased potential for economies of scale. CYH's strategy of operating hospitals with sole or dominant market positions in less competitive markets provides it greater leverage with
