Laboratory Corporation of America (LH) 10-Q 2011 Q1 Quarterly report

											EXHIBIT 12.1
STATEMENT OF COMPUTATION OF RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
(dollars in millions, except ratio information)
	Fiscal Years Ended December 31,										Three Months Ended
	2006		2007		2008		2009		2010		March 31, 2011
Income from continuing operations
before income taxes		720.9		802.3		785.7		884.6		915.6		213.7
Fixed Charges:
Interest on long-term and
short-term debt including
amortization of debt expense		47.8		56.6		72.0		62.9		70.0		24.0
Portion of rental expense as can be
demonstrated to be representative
of the interest factor		43.6		53.0		58.4		61.0		67.4		18.6
Total fixed charges		91.4		109.6		130.4		123.9		137.4		42.6
Earnings before income taxes and
fixed charges		812.3		911.9		916.1		1,008.5		1,053.0		256.3
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges		8.89		8.32		7.03		8.14		7.66		6.02