<SUBMISSION>
<ACCESSION-NUMBER>0000920148-03-000172
<TYPE>8-K
<PUBLIC-DOCUMENT-COUNT>2
<PERIOD>20031023
<ITEMS>12
<FILING-DATE>20031023
<FILER>
<COMPANY-DATA>
<CONFORMED-NAME>LABORATORY CORP OF AMERICA HOLDINGS
<CIK>0000920148
<ASSIGNED-SIC>8071
<IRS-NUMBER>133757370
<STATE-OF-INCORPORATION>DE
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>1231
</COMPANY-DATA>
<FILING-VALUES>
<FORM-TYPE>8-K
<ACT>34
<FILE-NUMBER>001-11353
<FILM-NUMBER>03953008
</FILING-VALUES>
<BUSINESS-ADDRESS>
<STREET1>358 S MAIN ST
<CITY>BURLINGTON
<STATE>NC
<ZIP>27215
<PHONE>3362291127
</BUSINESS-ADDRESS>
<MAIL-ADDRESS>
<STREET1>358 S MAIN ST
<CITY>BURLINGTON
<STATE>NC
<ZIP>27215
</MAIL-ADDRESS>
<FORMER-COMPANY>
<FORMER-CONFORMED-NAME>NATIONAL HEALTH LABORATORIES HOLDINGS INC
<DATE-CHANGED>19940314
</FORMER-COMPANY>
</FILER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>8-K
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>thirdqtr03cvr.txt
<DESCRIPTION>COMPANY 8-K
<TEXT>

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

October 23, 2003
------------------
(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 of         File Number)         Identification
incorporation)                                   Number)


358 SOUTH MAIN STREET, BURLINGTON, NORTH CAROLINA 27215
-------------------------------------------------------
(Address of principal executive offices)

336-229-1127
------------
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)


ITEM 12. Results of Operations and Financial Conditions

On October 23, 2003, Laboratory Corporation of America -Registered Trademark-
Holdings (LabCorp -Registered Trademark-)(NYSE:LH) issued a press release
announcing its results for the quarter ended September 30, 2003.  A copy of the
press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated by
reference herein.



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
                      and Secretary


Date: October 23, 2003


                                         EXHIBIT INDEX

   Exhibit                      Description
--------------     ------------------------------------
     99.1          Press Release dated October 23, 2003

</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-99.1
<SEQUENCE>3
<FILENAME>qtr303resultspr.txt
<DESCRIPTION>COMPANY PRESS RELEASE
<TEXT>
Laboratory Corporation of America-Registered Trademark- Holdings
358 South Main Street
Burlington, NC  27215
Telephone:  336-584-5171


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:  336-436-4855
          Pamela Sherry
          Investor@labcorp.com

          Shareholder Direct: 800-LAB-0401
          www.labcorp.com

LABORATORY CORPORATION OF AMERICA-REGISTERED TRADEMARK- ANNOUNCES 2003
THIRD QUARTER RESULTS

Reports Growth in EPS, Operating Cash Flow and EBITDA in Excess of 25
Percent;
EBITDA Margins of 24.5 Percent;
Increase in Combined Genomic and Esoteric Testing Revenues of 31 Percent


Burlington, NC, October 23, 2003 - Laboratory Corporation of America-
Registered Trademark- Holdings (LabCorp-Registered Trademark-) (NYSE: LH)
today announced results for the quarter ended September 30, 2003.

Third Quarter Results:
Revenues for the quarter were $752.0 million, an increase of 14.8 percent
compared to the same period in 2002. Testing volume, measured by
accessions, increased approximately 9.3 percent and price per accession
increased approximately 5.5 percent compared to third quarter 2002.

Net earnings before restructuring and other special charges for the quarter
increased 26.1 percent to $85.1 million, compared to 2002 third quarter net
earnings of $67.5 million. Before the charges, earnings per diluted share
increased 28 percent to $0.59 per diluted share, versus $0.46 per diluted
share in the third quarter of 2002. Earnings before interest, taxes,
depreciation, amortization and nonrecurring restructuring charges (EBITDA)
were $183.9 million for the quarter, or 24.5 percent of net sales, compared
to $145.9 million, or 22.3 percent of net sales, for the same period in
2002.

The Company recorded pre-tax restructuring charges of $3.3 million and
$17.5 million during the third quarters of 2003 and 2002, respectively, in
connection with the integrations of DIANON Systems, Inc. and Dynacare, Inc.
The 2003 charge negatively impacted diluted earnings per share by
approximately $0.01.

<PAGE>

During the quarter, the Company repaid $60 million in borrowings under its
revolving line of credit, and repurchased approximately $63 million of
Company stock. Operating cash flow increased 33.7 percent to $161.9
million, and the cash balance at the end of the quarter was $30 million.

"We are truly pleased with this quarter's financial performance," said
Thomas P. Mac Mahon, chairman and chief executive officer. "By every
measure, our results demonstrate the continuing effectiveness of our
strategic plan. Not only did we have substantial growth in revenues,
profitability and EPS, we also reduced our bad debt rate, continued to pay
down our revolving line of credit, completed our stock repurchase program
and generated significant amounts of cash. Additionally, the integrations
of Dynacare and DIANON have been tracking as expected, with both achieving
our synergy savings targets."

Mr. Mac Mahon added, "Looking ahead, we expect that our strategic plan will
continue to strengthen our financial performance, with added benefit from
shifts in our test mix toward higher-value genomic and esoteric tests. One
example of our plan at work is PreGen-PlusT, a noninvasive screening test
for colon cancer launched in August. We are excited by the early sales of
this test, and look forward to soon introducing Correlogic's new blood test
for ovarian cancer."

Nine-Month Results:
Revenues for the period were approximately $2,207.9 million, an increase of
18.9 percent compared to the same period in 2002. Testing volume, measured
by accessions, increased approximately 13.2 percent and price per accession
increased approximately 5.7 percent, compared to the same period in 2002.

Net earnings before restructuring and other special charges for the period
increased to $245.4 million, or $1.69 per diluted share, compared to 2002
nine-month net earnings of $211.8 million, or $1.47 per diluted share.
EBITDA was $537.0 million, or 24.3 percent of net sales, compared to $439.9
million, or 23.7 percent of net sales, for the same period in 2002.
Operating cash flow increased 28.7 percent to $420.1 million.

<PAGE>

A live broadcast of LabCorp's quarterly conference call on October 23, 2003
will be available online at www.labcorp.com or at www.streetevents.com
beginning at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time, with an online rebroadcast continuing
through November 23, 2003. The live call at 9:00 a.m. is also available in
a listen-only mode by dialing 415-908-6291. A telephone replay of the call
will be available through October 30, 2003 and can be heard by dialing 800-
633-8284 (402-977-9140 for international callers). The access code for the
replay is 211-60-358.

Laboratory Corporation of America-Registered Trademark Holdings is a
pioneer in commercializing new diagnostic technologies and the first in its
industry to embrace genomic testing. With annual revenues of $2.5 billion
in 2002, over 24,000 employees nationwide, and more than 200,000 clients,
LabCorp offers over 4,000 clinical assays ranging from blood analyses to
HIV and genomic testing. LabCorp combines its expertise in innovative
clinical testing technology with its Centers of Excellence: The Center for
Molecular Biology and Pathology, in Research Triangle Park, NC; National
Genetics Institute, Inc. in Los Angeles, CA; ViroMed Laboratories, Inc.
based in Minneapolis, MN; The Center for Esoteric Testing in Burlington,
NC; and DIANON Systems, Inc. based in Stratford, CT.  LabCorp clients
include physicians, government agencies, managed care organizations,
hospitals, clinical labs, and pharmaceutical companies. To learn more about
our growing organization, visit our web site at: www.LabCorp.com.

Each of the above forward-looking statements is subject to change based on
various important factors, including without limitation, competitive
actions in the marketplace and adverse actions of governmental and other
third-party payors.  Actual results could differ materially from those
suggested by these forward-looking statements. Further information on
potential factors that could affect LabCorp's financial results is included
in the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002 and
subsequent SEC filings.

- End of Text -

- Table to Follow -

<PAGE>

LABORATORY CORPORATION OF AMERICA HOLDINGS
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Dollars in millions, except per share data)

                                            Three Months Ended
                                               September 30,
                                                (Unaudited)
                                          ---------------------
                                             2003         2002
                                          ---------------------

Net sales                                 $  752.0     $  655.2
Cost of sales                                441.1        381.9
Selling, general and administrative          162.7        153.4
Amortization of intangibles and
   other assets                                9.5          6.2
Restructuring and other special charges        3.3         17.5
                                           -------      -------
Operating income                             135.4         96.2
                                           -------      -------
Other income (expense)                        (0.3)          --
Investment income                              0.1          0.9
Interest expense                              (9.5)        (5.3)
Income from equity investments                11.5          6.2
                                           -------      -------
Earnings before income taxes                 137.2         98.0

Provision for income taxes                    54.1         40.7
                                           -------      -------
Net earnings                              $   83.1     $   57.3
                                           =======      =======

Net earnings before restructuring and
   other special charges                  $   85.1     $   67.5
                                           =======      =======

Diluted earnings per common share:
---------------------------------
Net earnings                              $   0.58     $   0.39
                                           -------      -------
Net earnings before restructuring and
   other special charges                  $   0.59     $   0.46
                                           -------      -------

Weighted average shares outstanding          144.4        145.7
                                           -------      -------
EBITDA                                    $  183.9     $  145.9
                                           -------      -------

<PAGE>

                                            Nine Months Ended
                                               September 30,
                                                (Unaudited)
                                          ---------------------
                                            2003         2002
                                          ---------------------

Net sales                                 $2,207.9     $1,857.6
Cost of sales                              1,284.0      1,049.7
Selling, general and administrative          490.1        427.3
Amortization of intangibles and
   other assets                               27.5         16.4
Restructuring and other special charges        3.3         17.5
                                           -------      -------
Operating income                             403.0        346.7
                                           -------      -------
Other income (expense)                        (0.6)        (0.4)
Investment income                              4.8          2.9
Interest expense                             (30.9)       (13.7)
Income from equity investments                32.6          6.2
                                           -------      -------
Earnings before income taxes                 408.9        341.7

Provision for income taxes                   165.5        140.1
                                           -------      -------
Net earnings                              $  243.4     $  201.6
                                           =======      =======

Net earnings before restructuring and
   other special charges                  $  245.4     $  211.8
                                           =======      =======

Diluted earnings per common share:
---------------------------------
Net earnings                              $   1.67     $   1.40
                                           -------      -------
Net earnings before restructuring and
   other special charges                  $   1.69     $   1.47
                                           -------      -------

Weighted average shares outstanding          145.4        143.7
                                           -------      -------
EBITDA                                    $  537.0     $  439.9
                                           -------      -------

<PAGE>


LABORATORY CORPORATION OF AMERICA HOLDINGS
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Dollars in millions, except per share data)

                                     (Unaudited)
                                     September 30,          December 31,
                                   ------------------     --------------
                                         2003                  2002
                                   ------------------     --------------
Cash and cash equivalents             $    30.0              $    56.4
Accounts receivable, net                  446.8                  393.0
Property, plant and equipment             367.2                  351.2
Intangible assets and goodwill, net     1,862.6                1,217.5
Investments in equity affiliates          482.5                  400.6
Other assets                              143.0                  173.3
                                       --------               --------
                                      $ 3,332.1              $ 2,592.0
                                       ========               ========

Total bank debt                       $    27.9              $     3.5
Zero coupon-subordinated notes            520.6                  512.9
5 1/2% senior note                        353.9                     --
Other liabilities                         647.5                  463.9
Shareholders' equity                    1,782.2                1,611.7
                                       --------               --------
                                      $ 3,332.1              $ 2,592.0
                                       ========               ========


Notes to Financial Tables
-------------------------

1) During the third quarters of 2003 and 2002, the Company recorded
   restructuring and other special charges of $3.3 million and $17.5
   million, respectively, principally relating to costs to be incurred
   as part of its integration efforts on its DIANON and Dynacare
   acquisitions.

2) EBITDA represents earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation,
   amortization, and nonrecurring charges, and includes the Company's
   proportional share of the underlying EBITDA of the income from equity
   investments.  The Company uses EBITDA extensively as an internal
   management performance measure and believes it is a useful, and commonly
   used measure of financial performance in addition to earnings before
   taxes and other profitability measurements under generally accepted
   accounting principles ("GAAP").  EBITDA is not a measure of financial
   performance under GAAP.  It should not be considered as an alternative
   to earnings before income taxes (or any other performance measure under
   GAAP) as a measure of performance or to cash flows from operating,
   investing or financing activities as an indicator of cash flows or as
   a measure of liquidity.  The following table reconciles earnings before
   income taxes, representing the most comparable measure under GAAP, to
   EBITDA for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2003
   and 2002:

<PAGE>

                                   Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended
                                      September 30,          September 30,
                                    2003        2002       2003       2002
                                   ------------------    ------------------
Earnings before income taxes       $ 137.2   $  98.0     $ 408.9   $ 341.7
Add (subtract):
  Interest expense                     9.5       5.3        30.9      13.7
  Investment income                   (0.1)     (0.9)       (4.8)     (2.9)
  Other (income) expense, net          0.3        --         0.6       0.4
  Depreciation                        23.4      19.2        68.1      52.5
  Amortization                         9.5       6.2        27.5      16.4
  Restructuring and other
    special charges                    3.3      17.5         3.3      17.5
  Equity investments'
    depreciation and amortization      0.8       0.6         2.5       0.6
                                    ------    ------      ------    ------
  EBITDA                           $ 183.9   $ 145.9     $ 537.0   $ 439.9
                                    ======    ======      ======    ======


3)  The following table reconciles net earnings to net earnings before
    restructuring and other special charges:

                                   Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended
                                      September 30,          September 30,
                                    2003        2002       2003       2002
                                   ------------------    ------------------
   Net earnings                    $  83.1   $  57.3     $ 243.4   $ 201.6
                                    ------    ------      ------    ------
   Restructuring and other
    special charges                    3.3      17.5         3.3      17.5

   Provision for income taxes         (1.3)     (7.3)       (1.3)     (7.3)
                                    ------    ------      ------    ------
                                       2.0      10.2         2.0      10.2
                                    ------    ------      ------    ------
   Net earnings before
    restructuring and other
    special charges                $  85.1   $  67.5     $ 245.4   $ 211.8
                                    ======    ======      ======    ======



</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SUBMISSION>
