<SUBMISSION>
<ACCESSION-NUMBER>0000950144-02-013066
<TYPE>DEFA14A
<PUBLIC-DOCUMENT-COUNT>1
<FILING-DATE>20021226
<EFFECTIVENESS-DATE>20021226
<FILER>
<COMPANY-DATA>
<CONFORMED-NAME>AMERIPATH INC
<CIK>0001027532
<ASSIGNED-SIC>8071
<IRS-NUMBER>650642485
<STATE-OF-INCORPORATION>DE
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>1231
</COMPANY-DATA>
<FILING-VALUES>
<FORM-TYPE>DEFA14A
<ACT>34
<FILE-NUMBER>000-22313
<FILM-NUMBER>02869214
</FILING-VALUES>
<BUSINESS-ADDRESS>
<STREET1>7289 GARDEN RD
<STREET2>SUITE 200
<CITY>RIVER BEACH
<STATE>FL
<ZIP>33404
<PHONE>5618451850
</BUSINESS-ADDRESS>
<MAIL-ADDRESS>
<STREET1>7289 GARDEN RD
<STREET2>SUITE 200
<CITY>RIVER BEACH
<STATE>FL
<ZIP>33404
</MAIL-ADDRESS>
</FILER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>DEFA14A
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>g79869adefa14a.htm
<DESCRIPTION>AMERIPATH, INC.
<TEXT>
<HTML>
<HEAD>
<TITLE>AmeriPath, Inc.</TITLE>
</HEAD>
<BODY bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>
<DIV align="center">
<B><FONT size="2">SCHEDULE 14A</FONT></B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center">
<B><FONT size="2">(Rule 14a-101)</FONT></B>
</DIV>

<P align="center">
<B><FONT size="2">INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY
STATEMENT</FONT></B>

<P align="center">
<B><FONT size="2">SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION</FONT></B>

<P align="center">
<B><FONT size="2">Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
the Securities</FONT></B>

<DIV align="center">
<B><FONT size="2">Exchange Act of 1934</FONT></B>
</DIV>

<P align="left">
<FONT size="2">Filed by the Registrant&nbsp;
<FONT face="wingdings">&#120;</FONT>
</FONT>

<P align="left">
<FONT size="2">Filed by a Party other than the Registrant&nbsp;
<FONT face="wingdings">&#111;</FONT>
</FONT>

<P align="left">
Check the appropriate box:

<CENTER>
<TABLE width="100%" align="center" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0">

<TR>
        <TD width="49%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD width="3%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD width="48%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR>
        <TD align="left" valign="top">
        <FONT size="2"><FONT face="wingdings">&#111;</FONT>&nbsp;&nbsp;Preliminary
        Proxy Statement
        </FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left" valign="top">
        <DIV style="margin-left:10px; text-indent:-10px">
        <FONT size="2"><FONT face="wingdings">&#111;</FONT>&nbsp;&nbsp;Confidential,
        for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
        </FONT></DIV>
        </TD>
</TR>

<TR>
        <TD colspan="3" align="left" valign="top">
        <FONT size="2"><FONT face="wingdings">&#111;</FONT>&nbsp;&nbsp;Definitive
        Proxy Statement
        </FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR>
        <TD colspan="3" align="left" valign="top">
        <FONT size="2"><FONT face="wingdings">&#111;</FONT>&nbsp;&nbsp;Definitive
        Additional Materials
        </FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR>
        <TD colspan="3" align="left" valign="top">
        <FONT size="2"><FONT face="wingdings">&#120;</FONT>&nbsp;&nbsp;Soliciting
        Material under Rule 14a-12
        </FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
</CENTER>

<P align="center"><FONT size="2">AmeriPath, Inc.</FONT>
<DIV align="left">
<HR size="1" width="100%" align="left" noshade>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center">
<FONT size="2">(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
</FONT>
</DIV>

<P align="center">


<DIV align="left">
<HR size="1" width="100%" align="left" noshade>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center">
<FONT size="2">(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if
other than the Registrant)
</FONT>
</DIV>

<P align="left">
<FONT size="2">Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
</FONT>
<P>

<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">

<TR>
        <TD width="4%"></TD>
        <TD width="96%"></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="top">
        <TD><FONT size="2"><FONT face="wingdings">&#120;</FONT></FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left">
        <FONT size="2">No fee required.
        </FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR>
        <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="top">
        <TD><FONT size="2"><FONT face="wingdings">&#111;</FONT></FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left">
        <FONT size="2">Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act
        Rules&nbsp;14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
        </FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<P>

<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">

<TR>
        <TD width="9%"></TD>
        <TD width="91%"></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="top">
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1)</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left">
        <FONT size="2">Title of each class of securities to which
        transaction applies:
        </FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>

<P align="right">
<HR size="1" width="88%" align="right" noshade>
<P>

<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">

<TR>
        <TD width="9%"></TD>
        <TD width="91%"></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="top">
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2)</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left">
        <FONT size="2">Aggregate number of securities to which
        transaction applies:
        </FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>

<P align="right">
<HR size="1" width="88%" align="right" noshade>
<P>

<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">

<TR>
        <TD width="9%"></TD>
        <TD width="91%"></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="top">
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(3)</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left">
        <FONT size="2">Per unit price or other underlying value of
        transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule&nbsp;0-11
        (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and
        state how it was determined):
        </FONT></TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>

<P align="right">
<HR size="1" width="88%" align="right" noshade>
<P>


<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">

<TR>
        <TD width="9%"></TD>
        <TD width="91%"></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="top">
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(4)</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left">
        <FONT size="2">Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
        </FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>

<P align="right">
<HR size="1" width="88%" align="right" noshade>
<P>

<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">

<TR>
        <TD width="9%"></TD>
        <TD width="91%"></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="top">
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(5)</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left">
        <FONT size="2">Total fee paid:
        </FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>

<P align="right">
<HR size="1" width="88%" align="right" noshade>
<P>

<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">

<TR>
        <TD width="4%"></TD>
        <TD width="96%"></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="top">
        <TD><FONT size="2"><FONT face="wingdings">&#111;</FONT></FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left">
        <FONT size="2">Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
        </FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR>
        <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="top">
        <TD><FONT size="2"><FONT face="wingdings">&#111;</FONT></FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left">
        <FONT size="2">Check box if any part of the fee is offset as
        provided by Exchange Act Rule&nbsp; 0-11(a)(2) and identify the
        filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously.
        Identify the previous filing by registration statement number,
        or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
        </FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<P>

<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">

<TR>
        <TD width="9%"></TD>
        <TD width="91%"></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="top">
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1)</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left">
        <FONT size="2">Amount Previously Paid:
        </FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>

<P align="right">
<HR size="1" width="88%" align="right" noshade>
<P>

<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">

<TR>
        <TD width="9%"></TD>
        <TD width="91%"></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="top">
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2)</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left">
        <FONT size="2">Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
        </FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>

<P align="right">
<HR size="1" width="88%" align="right" noshade>
<P>

<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">

<TR>
        <TD width="9%"></TD>
        <TD width="91%"></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="top">
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(3)</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left">
        <FONT size="2">Filing Party:
        </FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>

<P align="right">
<HR size="1" width="88%" align="right" noshade>
<P>

<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">

<TR>
        <TD width="9%"></TD>
        <TD width="91%"></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="top">
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(4)</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left">
        <FONT size="2">Date Filed:
        </FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>

<P align="right">
<HR size="1" width="88%" align="right" noshade>
<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>

<P align="right"><FONT size="2"><B>May be deemed to be<BR>
solicitation material<BR>
under Rule&nbsp;14a-12</B></FONT>

<P align="left"><FONT size="2">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</FONT>

<CENTER>
<TABLE cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="55%">
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="39%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="56%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">Contact:</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">Gregory A. Marsh</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Michelle D. Getty</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">Vice President &#038; CFO</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Investor Relations</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">AmeriPath, Inc.</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
AmeriPath, Inc.</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">561-845-6211</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
561-712-6260</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
E-mail: invrel@ameripath.com</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
</CENTER>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>Lawsuit Filed Against AmeriPath, Inc.</B></FONT>

<P><FONT size="2">Riviera Beach, FL, December&nbsp;26, 2002 &#150; AmeriPath, Inc. (Nasdaq: PATH), a
leading national provider of cancer diagnostics, genomic, and related
information services, today announced that a lawsuit has been filed in a state
court in Palm Beach County, Florida regarding its previously announced $21.25
cash per share merger pending with companies formed by Welsh, Carson, Anderson &#038; Stowe.
The suit, which also names AmeriPath&#146;s board of directors, alleges a breach of
duty to shareholders. The complaint seeks a preliminary injunction although
the Company has not been served with any request for immediate injunctive
relief. If the merger is consummated, the suit also seeks money damages.
</FONT>
<P><FONT size="2">Commenting on the lawsuit and its allegations, James C. New, the Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer of AmeriPath, stated, &#147;The complaint rehashes previous
incorrect comments made by certain shareholders and misstates other facts. We
do not believe the plaintiffs will be successful and do not foresee this lawsuit
being an impediment to completion of our previously announced merger.&#148;
</FONT>
<P><FONT size="2"><I>AmeriPath is a leading national provider of cancer diagnostics, genomic, and
related information services. The Company&#146;s extensive diagnostics
infrastructure includes the Center for Advanced Diagnostics (CAD), a division
of AmeriPath. CAD provides specialized diagnostic testing and information
services including Fluorescence In-Situ Hybridization (FISH), Flow Cytometry,
DNA Analysis, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR&#153;, performed pursuant to an
agreement with Roche Molecular Systems, Inc.), Molecular Genetics, Cytogenetics
and HPV Typing. Additionally, AmeriPath provides clinical trial and research
development support to firms involved in developing new cancer and genomic
diagnostics and therapeutics.</I>
</FONT>
<P align="left"><FONT size="2">ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND WHERE TO FIND IT</FONT>

<P><FONT size="2">The proposed transaction will be submitted to AmeriPath&#146;s stockholders for
their consideration, and AmeriPath has filed with the SEC a proxy statement to
be used to solicit its stockholders&#146; approval of the proposed transaction, as
well as other relevant documents concerning the proposed transaction.
STOCKHOLDERS OF AMERIPATH ARE URGED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT REGARDING THE
PROPOSED TRANSACTION WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS
FILED WITH THE SEC, AS WELL AS ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS TO THOSE
DOCUMENTS, BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. You will be able
to obtain a free copy of the proxy statement, as well as other filings
containing information about AmeriPath, at the SEC&#146;s Internet site
(http://www.sec.gov). Copies of the proxy statement and the SEC filings that
will be incorporated by reference in the proxy statement can also be obtained,
without charge, by directing a request to: Michelle D. Getty, Investor
Relations, AmeriPath, Inc., Suite&nbsp;200, 7289 Garden Road, Riviera Beach, FL
33404, or by telephone at 561-712-6260 or by e-mail to
invrel@ameripath.com.
</FONT>
<P align="left"><FONT size="2">PARTICIPANTS IN THE SOLICITATION</FONT>

<P><FONT size="2">AmeriPath and its directors, executive officers and other members of their
management and employees may be soliciting proxies from the AmeriPath
stockholders in favor of the transaction. Information concerning persons who
may be considered participants in the solicitation of AmeriPath&#146;s stockholders
under the rules of the Commission is set forth in public filings filed by
AmeriPath with the Commission and will be set forth in the proxy statement when
it is filed with the Commission.
</FONT>
<P><FONT size="2"><I>The statements contained in this press release may include &#147;forward-looking
statements&#146;&#146; within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act
of 1995. Forward-looking statements &#151; which are sometimes identified by words
such as &#147;may&#148;, &#147;should&#148;, &#147;believe&#146;&#146;, &#147;expect&#146;&#146;, &#147;anticipate&#146;&#146;, &#147;estimate&#148; and
similar expressions and which include any assessments of pending litigation or
any financial or operating estimates, forecasts or projections &#151; are subject to
a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which involve factors or
circumstances that are beyond the Company&#146;s control. These risks and
uncertainties could cause actual results to differ materially from results
anticipated by forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties
include risks and uncertainties relating to the Company&#146;s operations include:
the extent of success of the Company&#146;s operating initiatives and growth
strategies; ability to manage growth; access to capital on satisfactory terms;
general economic conditions; terrorism or an escalation of hostilities or war;
competition and changes in competitive factors; federal and state health care
regulation (and compliance); reimbursement rates under government and third
party healthcare programs and the payments received under such programs;
changes in coding; changes in technology; dependence upon pathologists and
customer contracts; the ability to attract, motivate, and retain pathologists;
labor, technology and insurance costs; marketing and promotional efforts; the
availability of pathology practices in appropriate locations that the Company
is able to acquire on suitable terms or develop; and the successful completion
and integration of acquisitions (and achievement of planned or expected
synergies). The forward-looking statements in this press release are made as of
the date hereof based on management&#146;s current beliefs and expectations, and the
Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any such statements.
Further information regarding risks, uncertainties and other factors that could
affect the Company&#146;s financial or operating results or that could cause actual
results to differ materially from those expected, estimated or anticipated are
included in the Company&#146;s annual, quarterly, and other reports and filings with
the SEC.</I>
</FONT>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2"># # #</FONT>

<P><FONT size="2">This release is also available at <I>http://www.ameripath.com</I>
</FONT>

<P align="center"><FONT size="2"></FONT>




</BODY>
</HTML>

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