
                    
                                     
                                     
                                     
                                     
                                     
             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


                               JULY 29, 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)
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ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS

On July 29, 1997, the Registrant issued a press release dated as of such
date announcing operating results of the Registrant for the three and six
month periods ended June 30, 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 Registrant dated July 29, 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, Secretary
                              and Compliance Officer 



Date:  July 30, 1997
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