<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM LABORATORY
CORPORATION OF AMERICA HOLDINGS AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AND
STATEMENT OF EARNINGS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000920148
<NAME> LABORATORY CORPORATION OF AMERICA HOLDINGS
<MULTIPLIER> 1000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1999
<CASH>                                          40,300
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  495,100
<ALLOWANCES>                                   147,100
<INVENTORY>                                     29,100
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               499,500
<PP&E>                                         527,100
<DEPRECIATION>                                 253,900
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,590,200
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          245,600
<BONDS>                                        478,400
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                          558,700
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         1,300
<OTHER-SE>                                     174,200
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,590,200
<SALES>                                      1,698,700
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,698,700
<CGS>                                        1,069,600
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,069,600
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               479,400
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              41,600
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                105,500
<INCOME-TAX>                                   (40,100)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             65,400
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    65,400
<EPS-BASIC>                                     0.12
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.12