<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE THIRD
QUARTER 1999 REPORT ON FORM 10-Q FOR LABONE, INC. AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000830158
<NAME> LABONE, INC.

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1999
<CASH>                                       1,558,600
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               23,298,098
<ALLOWANCES>                                 2,248,798
<INVENTORY>                                  1,089,586
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            31,062,358
<PP&E>                                      79,063,255
<DEPRECIATION>                              36,788,684
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             109,421,015
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       11,599,508
<BONDS>                                     25,241,954
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       130,500
<OTHER-SE>                                  72,434,412
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               109,421,015
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            84,714,563
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               49,757,514
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                             1,984,329
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             947,528
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              5,707,111
<INCOME-TAX>                                 2,624,933
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          2,315,803
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 2,315,803
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.23
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.23