
                                      


                                      
                                      
                                      
              UNITED STATES 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


                               APRIL 25, 1997
                               ---------------
                      (Date of earliest event reported)
                                      
                                      
                                      
                 LABORATORY CORPORATION OF AMERICA HOLDINGS
                 ------------------------------------------
           (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
                                      


   DELAWARE                1-11353            13-3757370
   --------                -------            ----------
(State or other          (Commission        (IRS Employer
jurisdiction or          File Number)        Identification 
organization)                                Number)


                                      
          358 SOUTH MAIN STREET, BURLINGTON, NORTH CAROLINA  27215
          --------------------------------------------------------
                  (Address of principal executive offices)
                                      
                                      
                                      
                                910-229-1127
                                ------------
            (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)




ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS

On April 25, 1997, Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings (the
"Company") issued a press release dated as of such date announcing operating
results for the three month period ended March 31, 1997, as well as certain
other information.  The press release is attached as an exhibit hereto and
the text thereof is incorporated in its entirety herein by reference.

ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, PRO FORMA FINANCIAL
        INFORMATION AND EXHIBITS

  (c) Exhibit
                                      
      20  Press release of the Company dated April 25, 1997.

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                                 SIGNATURES
                                      
      Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of
1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf
by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

               LABORATORY CORPORATION OF AMERICA HOLDINGS
               ------------------------------------------
                             (Registrant)

                              
                    By:  /s/  BRADFORD T. SMITH
                      -------------------------------------
                              Bradford T. Smith
                              Executive Vice President,
                              General Counsel and Secretary
                              
                              
                              
Date:  April 30, 1997

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