UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                      WASHINGTON, DC 20549
                           FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)
[X]  QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
     SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended           June 30, 2004
                                ----------------------------
OR

[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
    SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from              to
                              --------------  --------------

Commission file number                     1-11353
                              ------------------------------
           LABORATORY CORPORATION OF AMERICA HOLDINGS
- ------------------------------------------------------------
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

             DELAWARE                         13-3757370
- -------------------------------            -------------------
(State or other jurisdiction of            (IRS Employer
incorporation or organization)             Identification No.)

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

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all
reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or
for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file
such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements
for the past 90 days. Yes  X   No
                         -----    -----
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer
(as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. Yes  X   No
                                                  -----   -----
The number of shares outstanding of the issuer's common stock is
139,646,910 shares, net of treasury stock as of July 30, 2004.




                                INDEX


          PART I. Financial Information

Item 1  Financial Statements:

        Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited)
        June 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003

        Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited)
        Six and three months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003

        Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in
        Shareholders' Equity (unaudited)
        Six months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003

        Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
        (unaudited) Six months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003

        Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

Item 2  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
        Condition and Results of Operations

Item 3  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about
        Market Risk

Item 4  Controls and Procedures


        PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1  Legal Proceedings

Item 2  Changes in Securities, Use of Proceeds and Issuer
        Purchases of Equity Securities

Item 4  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

Item 6  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K



                    PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.  Financial Information

         LABORATORY CORPORATION OF AMERICA HOLDINGS AND SUBSIDIARIES
                  CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
               (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
                             (Unaudited)

                                               June 30,         December 31,
                                                 2004               2003
                                              ----------        ------------
ASSETS
Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents                   $   182.2           $   123.0
  Accounts receivable, net                        452.5               432.5
  Supplies inventories                             47.8                47.0
  Prepaid expenses and other                       25.3                36.3
  Deferred income taxes                            13.0                19.1
                                               --------            --------
Total current assets                              720.8               657.9

Property, plant and equipment, net                356.0               361.3
Goodwill                                        1,305.9             1,285.9
Intangible assets, net                            567.0               571.4
Investments in equity affiliates                  493.6               505.3
Other assets, net                                  31.6                33.1
                                               --------            --------
                                              $ 3,474.9           $ 3,414.9
                                               ========            ========
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
  Accounts payable                            $    78.5           $    73.0
  Accrued expenses and other                      185.6               161.1
  Zero coupon-subordinated notes                  528.4               523.2
  Current portion of long-term debt                 0.2                 0.3
                                               --------            --------
Total current liabilities                         792.7               757.6

5 1/2% senior notes                               353.6               353.8
Long-term debt, less current portion                2.2                 2.5
Capital lease obligations                           3.7                 4.4
Deferred income taxes                             283.7               273.4
Other liabilities                                 117.1               127.3

Commitments and contingencies

Shareholders' equity:
  Preferred stock, $0.10 par value; 30,000,000
    shares authorized; shares issued: none           --                  --
  Common stock, $0.10 par value; 265,000,000
    shares authorized;149,822,486 and
    148,855,110 shares issued and outstanding
    at June 30, 2004 and December 31,
    2003, respectively                             15.0                14.9
  Additional paid-in capital                    1,470.1             1,440.9
  Retained earnings                               772.7               587.1
  Treasury stock, at cost; 10,289,653 shares
    and 5,521,620 shares at June 30, 2004 and
    December 31, 2003, respectively              (348.1)             (159.3)
  Unearned restricted stock compensation          (13.5)              (22.4)
  Accumulated other comprehensive loss             25.7                34.7
                                               --------            --------
   Total shareholders' equity                   1,921.9             1,895.9
                                               --------            --------
                                              $ 3,474.9           $ 3,414.9
                                               ========            ========

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed
consolidated financial statements.



      LABORATORY CORPORATION OF AMERICA HOLDINGS AND SUBSIDIARIES
             CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
               (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
                             (Unaudited)

                               Three Months Ended       Six Months Ended
                                     June 30,               June 30,
                             ---------------------    ---------------------
                                2004        2003        2004         2003
                             ---------------------    ---------------------

Net sales                    $  784.3     $  743.7    $ 1,536.8   $ 1,455.9

Cost of sales                   444.6        427.2        879.5       842.9
                             --------     --------     --------    --------
Gross profit                    339.7        316.5        657.3       613.0

Selling, general and
  administrative expenses       165.0        164.1        328.0       327.4

Amortization of intangibles
  and other assets               10.5          9.5         20.8        18.0
                             --------     --------     --------    --------
Operating income                164.2        142.9        308.5       267.6

Other income (expenses):
  Interest expense               (9.3)       (10.0)       (18.6)      (21.4)
  Income from equity
    investments, net             12.1         11.3         24.7        21.1
  Investment income               0.4          2.4          0.9         4.7
  Other, net                     (0.8)        (0.2)        (0.9)       (0.3)
                             --------     --------     --------    --------
Earnings before income taxes    166.6        146.4        314.6       271.7

Provision for income taxes       68.3         60.0        129.0       111.4
                             --------     --------     --------    --------
Net earnings                 $   98.3     $   86.4     $  185.6    $  160.3
                             ========     ========     ========    ========
Basic earnings per
  common share               $    0.70    $    0.60    $    1.32   $    1.10

Diluted earnings per
  common share               $    0.70    $    0.60    $    1.30   $    1.10



The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed
consolidated financial statements.



    LABORATORY CORPORATION OF AMERICA HOLDINGS AND SUBSIDIARIES
     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
                  (DOLLARS AND SHARES IN MILLIONS)
                            (Unaudited)

                                                  Additional
                                 Common Stock       Paid-in       Retained
                                Shares  Amount      Capital       Earnings
                                --------------     --------       --------
PERIOD ENDED JUNE 30, 2003
Balance at beginning of year     147.8  $ 14.8     $1,406.5        $ 266.1
Comprehensive earnings:
  Net earnings                      --      --           --          160.3
  Other comprehensive loss:
   Foreign currency translation
     adjustments                    --      --           --             --
Comprehensive earnings
Issuance of common stock           0.3      --          5.9             --
Issuance of restricted stock
  awards                            --      --          0.2             --
Amortization of unearned
  restricted stock compensation     --      --           --             --
Income tax benefit from stock
  options exercised                 --      --          2.7             --
Assumption of vested stock
  options in connection with
  acquisition                       --      --          8.5             --
Surrender of restricted stock
  awards                            --      --         (1.0)            --
Purchase of common stock            --      --           --             --
                                 -----   -----      -------         ------
BALANCE AT JUNE 30, 2003         148.1  $ 14.8     $1,422.8        $ 426.4
                                 =====   =====      =======         ======

PERIOD ENDED JUNE 30, 2004
Balance at beginning of year     148.9  $ 14.9     $1,440.9        $ 587.1
Comprehensive earnings:
  Net earnings                      --      --           --          185.6
  Other comprehensive loss:
   Foreign currency translation
     adjustments                    --      --           --             --
   Tax effect of other
     comprehensive loss
     adjustments                    --      --           --             --
Comprehensive earnings
Issuance of common stock           0.9     0.1         22.9             --
Issuance of restricted stock
  awards                            --      --          0.7             --
Amortization of unearned
  restricted stock compensation     --      --           --             --
Income tax benefit from stock
  options exercised                 --      --          5.7             --
Surrender of restricted stock
  awards                            --      --         (0.1)            --
Purchase of common stock            --      --           --             --
                                 -----   -----      -------        -------
BALANCE AT JUNE 30, 2004         149.8  $ 15.0     $1,470.1       $  772.7
                                 =====   =====      =======        =======

                                    (continued)



    LABORATORY CORPORATION OF AMERICA HOLDINGS AND SUBSIDIARIES
 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (CONTINUED)
                   (DOLLARS AND SHARES IN MILLIONS)
                             (Unaudited)

                                        Unearned    Accumulated
                                       Restricted      Other         Total
                              Treasury    Stock    Comprehensive Shareholders'
                               Stock   Compensation      Loss        Equity
                              -------- ------------ ------------- -------------
PERIOD ENDED JUNE 30, 2003
Balance at beginning of year  $ (4.4)  $ (41.4)     $  (29.9)      $1,611.7
Comprehensive earnings:
  Net earnings                    --        --            --          160.3
  Other comprehensive loss:
   Foreign currency
     translation adjustments      --        --          71.3           71.3
   Tax effect of other
     comprehensive loss
     adjustments                  --        --         (28.6)         (28.6)
Comprehensive earnings                                                 203.0
Issuance of common stock          --        --            --            5.9
Issuance of restricted stock
  awards                          --      (0.2)           --             --
Amortization of unearned
  restricted stock compensation   --       8.6            --            8.6
Income tax benefit from stock
  options exercised               --        --            --            2.7
Assumption of vested stock
  options in connection with
  acquisition                     --        --            --            8.5
Surrender of restricted stock
  awards                        (4.8)      1.0            --           (4.8)
Purchase of common stock       (86.4)       --            --          (86.4)
                              ------    ------       -------        -------
BALANCE AT JUNE 30, 2003     $ (95.6)  $ (32.0)     $   12.8       $1,749.2
                              ======    ======       =======        =======

PERIOD ENDED JUNE 30, 2004
Balance at beginning of year $(159.3)  $ (22.4)     $   34.7       $1,895.9
Comprehensive earnings:
  Net earnings                    --        --            --          185.6
  Other comprehensive loss:
   Foreign currency
     translation adjustments      --        --         (15.1)         (15.1)
   Tax effect of other
     comprehensive loss
     adjustments                  --        --           6.1            6.1
Comprehensive earnings                                                 176.6
Issuance of common stock          --        --            --           23.0
Issuance of restricted stock
  awards                          --      (0.7)           --             --
Amortization of unearned
  restricted stock compensation   --       9.5            --            9.5
Income tax benefit from stock
  options exercised               --        --            --            5.7
Surrender of restricted stock
  awards                        (6.7)      0.1            --           (6.7)
Purchase of common stock      (182.1)       --            --         (182.1)
                              ------   -------       -------        -------
BALANCE AT JUNE 30, 2004     $(348.1) $  (13.5)     $   25.7       $1,921.9
                              ======   =======       =======        =======

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed
consolidated financial statements.



     LABORATORY CORPORATION OF AMERICA HOLDINGS AND SUBSIDIARIES
             CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
              (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
                             (Unaudited)


                                                   Six Months Ended
                                                        June 30,
                                              -------------------------
                                                 2004            2003
                                              -------------------------
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

Net earnings                                  $  185.6         $ 160.3

  Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to
   net cash provided by operating activities:
      Depreciation and amortization               69.6            66.7
      Stock compensation                           9.5             8.6
      (Gain) loss on sale of assets                0.5            (0.1)
      Accreted interest on zero coupon-
        subordinated notes                         5.2             5.1
      Deferred income taxes                       23.8            15.0
      Change in assets and liabilities (net of
        effects of acquisitions):
        Increase in accounts receivable, net     (19.9)          (18.0)
        Increase in inventories                   (0.1)           (2.4)
        Decrease in prepaid expenses and other    11.0             3.6
        Increase(decrease) in accounts payable     5.5            (5.7)
        Increase in accrued expenses and other
          expenses and other                       3.6            25.1
                                               -------         -------
  Net cash provided by operating activities      294.3           258.2
                                               -------         -------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

  Capital expenditures                           (42.6)          (37.4)
  Proceeds from sale of assets                     1.3             0.6
  Deferred payments on acquisitions               (3.8)           (6.3)
  Proceeds from sale of marketable securities       --            50.4
  Distributions from equity affiliates in
    excess of cumulative earnings                   --             1.6
  Acquisition of licensing technology             (0.5)             --
  Acquisition of businesses, net of
    cash acquired                                (34.6)         (636.0)
                                               -------         -------
  Net cash used for investing activities         (80.2)         (627.1)
                                               -------         -------

                                 (continued)



     LABORATORY CORPORATION OF AMERICA HOLDINGS AND SUBSIDIARIES
     CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (CONTINUED)
                (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
                                 (Unaudited)
                                                   Six Months Ended
                                                        June 30,
                                              --------------------------
                                                 2004            2003
                                              --------------------------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

  Proceeds from bridge loan                   $     --        $  350.0
  Payments on bridge loan                           --          (350.0)
  Proceeds from revolving credit
   facilities                                       --           265.0
  Payments on revolving credit
   facilities                                       --          (180.0)
  Proceeds from senior note offering                --           350.0
  Payments on other long-term debt                (0.4)           (0.4)
  Termination of interest rate swap
   agreements                                       --             5.3
  Debt issuance costs                               --            (7.3)
  Payments on long-term lease obligations         (0.7)           (0.7)
  Purchase of common stock                      (176.2)          (91.2)
  Net proceeds from issuance of stock to
   employees                                      23.0             5.8
                                               -------         -------
  Net cash (used)provided by financing
   activities                                   (154.3)          346.5
                                               -------         -------
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
 and cash equivalents                             (0.6)           (0.1)
                                               -------         -------
 Net (decrease) increase in cash and
   cash equivalents                               59.2           (22.5)
 Cash and cash equivalents at
   beginning of period                           123.0            56.4
                                               -------         -------
 Cash and cash equivalents at
   end of period                              $  182.2        $   33.9
                                               =======         =======
Supplemental schedule of cash
  flow information:
  Cash paid during the period for:
     Interest                                 $   9.6         $    2.9
     Income taxes, net of refunds                56.5             70.8


Disclosure of non-cash financing
  and investing activities:

Issuance of restricted stock awards               0.7              0.2
Surrender of restricted stock awards              6.7              4.8
Assumption of vested stock options                 --              8.5
Accrued repurchases of common stock               5.9               --


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed
consolidated financial statements.



     LABORATORY CORPORATION OF AMERICA HOLDINGS AND SUBSIDIARIES
     NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
          (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)

1.   BASIS OF FINANCIAL STATEMENT PRESENTATION

     The condensed consolidated financial statements include the
accounts of Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings and its
wholly owned subsidiaries (the "Company") after elimination of all
material intercompany accounts and transactions.  On January 17,
2003, the Company completed the acquisition of DIANON Systems, Inc.,
(DIANON) a leading U.S. provider of anatomic pathology and oncology
testing services.  Disclosure of certain business combination
transactions is included in Note 7 - Business Acquisition.  The
Company operates in one business segment.

     The financial statements of the Company's foreign subsidiaries
are measured using the local currency as the functional currency.
Assets and liabilities are translated at exchange rates as of the
balance sheet date.  Revenues and expenses are translated at average
monthly exchange rates prevailing during the period.  Resulting
translation adjustments are included in "Accumulated other
comprehensive earnings(loss)".

     The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements of
the Company are unaudited.  In the opinion of management, all
adjustments (which include only normal recurring accruals) necessary
for a fair presentation of such financial statements have been
included.  Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results
for a full year.

     The financial statements and notes are presented in accordance
with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange
Commission and do not contain certain information included in the
Company's 2003 annual report on Form 10-K.  Therefore, the interim
statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated
financial statements and notes thereto contained in the Company's
annual report.


2.   EARNINGS PER SHARE

     Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net earnings
by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding.
Dilutive earnings per share is computed by dividing net earnings by
the weighted average number of common shares outstanding plus
potentially dilutive shares, as if they had been issued at the
beginning of the period presented.  Potentially dilutive common
shares result primarily from the Company's restricted stock awards
and outstanding stock options.



     LABORATORY CORPORATION OF AMERICA HOLDINGS AND SUBSIDIARIES
     NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
          (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)

     The following represents a reconciliation of the weighted
average shares used in the calculation of basic and diluted earnings
per share:

                              Three Months              Six Months
                              Ended June 30,           Ended June 30,
                         ------------------------  ----------------------
                           2004          2003        2004          2003
                         ------------------------  ------------------------
Basic                    140,053,538  144,562,713  140,923,330  145,222,214
Assumed conversion/
 exercise of:
  Stock options              775,912      485,967      803,187      381,169
  Restricted stock awards    444,263           --      609,980      103,769
                         -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
Diluted                  141,273,713  145,048,680  142,336,497  145,707,152
                         ===========  ===========  ===========  ===========

The following table summarizes the potential common shares not
included in the computation of diluted earnings per share
because their impact would have been antidilutive:

                                                June 30,
                                           2004         2003
                                       ----------------------
Stock Options                          1,492,611    4,432,902

     The Company's zero coupon-subordinated notes are
contingently convertible into 9,977,634 shares of common stock
and are not currently included in the diluted earnings per share
calculation because these notes were not convertible according
to their terms at June 30, 2004. Holders of the zero coupon-
subordinated notes may require the Company to purchase all or a
portion of their notes on September 11, 2004, 2006 and 2011 at
prices ranging from $712.97 to $819.54 per note.  The Company may
choose to pay the purchase price in cash or common stock or a
combination of cash and common stock.  If the holders elect to
require the Company to purchase their notes, it is the Company's
current intention to retire the notes by a cash payment.  However,
future market conditions are subject to change.  Should the
holders put the notes to the Company on any of the dates above,
the Company believes that it will be able to satisfy this
contingent obligation with cash on hand, borrowings on the
revolving credit facility, and additional financing if necessary.

3.   STOCK COMPENSATION PLANS

     During February 2004, the Company granted 1,738,800 options at
a price of $39.00 under its 2000 Stock Incentive Plan.

     During March 2004, the Company recorded aggregate awards of
11,329 shares of restricted stock at a weighted average price of
$35.29 to one of the principals in the Company's research and
development joint venture and a non-employee director under its 2000
Stock Incentive Plan.



     LABORATORY CORPORATION OF AMERICA HOLDINGS AND SUBSIDIARIES
     NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
          (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)

     During May 2004, the Company made awards of 7,728 shares of
restricted stock and 11,904 options to its non-employee directors at
a price of $38.80 under its 2000 Stock Incentive Plan.

     The tax benefits associated with the exercise of non-qualified
stock options reduced taxes currently payable by $5.7 and $2.7 for
the six months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively.  Such
benefits are credited to additional paid-in-capital.

     The Company applies the provisions of APB Opinion No. 25 in
accounting for its employee stock option and stock purchase
plans and, accordingly, no compensation cost has been recognized
for these plans in the financial statements.  Had the Company
determined compensation  cost for these two plans based on  the
fair value method as defined in SFAS No. 123, the impact on the
Company's net earnings on a pro forma basis is indicated below:

                                   Three Months Ended  Six Months Ended
                                        June 30,	  June 30,
                                   ------------------  ----------------
                                      2004    2003      2004    2003
                                   ------------------  ----------------
Net earnings, as reported           $ 98.3  $ 86.4     $185.6  $160.3
   Add: Restricted stock-based
    compensation Under APB 25          3.0     4.1        9.5     8.6
   Deduct: Total stock-based
    compensation expense determined
    under the fair value method for
    all awards, net of related tax
    effects                           (9.1)  (10.7)     (21.7)  (21.7)
                                     -----   -----      -----   -----
Pro forma net income                $ 92.2  $ 79.8     $173.4  $147.2
                                     =====   =====      =====   =====
Basic earnings per
  common share    As reported          0.70    0.60       1.32    1.10
                  Pro forma            0.66    0.55       1.23    1.01

Diluted earnings per
  common share    As reported          0.70    0.60       1.30    1.10
                  Pro forma            0.65    0.55       1.22    1.01


4.   STOCK REPURCHASE PROGRAM

On December 17, 2003, the Company's Board of Directors
authorized a stock repurchase program under which the Company may
purchase up to an aggregate of $250.0 of its common stock from time-
to-time, beginning in the first quarter of 2004. During the first
six months of 2004, the Company purchased approximately 4.6 million
shares of its common stock totaling $182.1 with cash flow from
operations. It is the Company's intention to fund future purchases
of its common stock with cash flow from operations.

5.   SENIOR CREDIT FACILITIES

     On January 13, 2004, the Company entered into a new $150.0 364-
day revolving credit facility with Credit Suisse First Boston,
acting as Administrative Agent, and a group of financial
institutions to replace the existing $150.0 364-day revolving credit
facility, which had terminated.  The $200.0 three-year revolving



     LABORATORY CORPORATION OF AMERICA HOLDINGS AND SUBSIDIARIES
     NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
          (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)

credit facility was amended on January 14, 2003 and expires on
February 18, 2005.  These credit facilities bear interest at varying
rates based upon the Company's credit rating with Standard & Poor's
Ratings Services. There were no balances outstanding on the
Company's senior credit facilities at June 30, 2004.

     The senior credit facilities are available for general
corporate purposes, including working capital, capital
expenditures, funding of share repurchases and other payments,
and acquisitions.  The agreements contain certain debt covenants
which require that the Company maintain leverage and interest
coverage ratios of 2.5 to 1.0 and 5.0 to 1.0, respectively. Both
ratios are calculated in relation to EBITDA (Earnings Before
Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization).  The covenants
also limit the payment of dividends.  The Company is in
compliance with all covenants at June 30, 2004.

6.   DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

     Interest rate swap agreements, which have been used by the
Company from time to time in the management of interest rate
exposure, are accounted for at fair value.  Amounts to be paid or
received under such agreements are recognized as interest income or
expense in the periods in which they accrue.

     The Company's zero coupon-subordinated notes contain the
following three features that are considered to be embedded
derivative instruments under Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards  ("SFAS") No. 133 "Accounting for Derivative
Instruments and Hedging Activities":

1) The Company will pay contingent cash interest on the zero
coupon subordinated notes after September 11, 2006, if the
average market price of the notes equals 120% or more of
the sum of the issue price, accrued original issue discount
and contingent additional principal, if any, for a
specified measurement period.
2) Contingent additional principal will accrue on the zero
coupon-subordinated notes during the two-year period from
September 11, 2004 to September 11, 2006, if the Company's
stock price is at or below specified thresholds.
3) Holders may surrender zero coupon-subordinated notes for
conversion during any period in which the rating assigned
to the zero coupon-subordinated notes by Standard & Poor's
Ratings Services is BB- or lower.

     Based upon independent appraisals, these embedded derivatives
had no fair market value at June 30, 2004 and 2003.

7.   BUSINESS ACQUISITION - DIANON SYSTEMS, INC.

     On January 17, 2003, the Company completed the acquisition of
all of the outstanding shares of DIANON Systems, Inc. (DIANON) for
$47.50 per share in cash, or approximately $595.6 including
transaction fees and expenses, and converted approximately 390,000
vested DIANON employee stock options into approximately 690,000
vested Company options valued at $8.5.  The transaction total of



     LABORATORY CORPORATION OF AMERICA HOLDINGS AND SUBSIDIARIES
     NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
          (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)

approximately $604.5 was funded by a combination of cash on hand,
borrowings under the Company's senior credit facilities and a bridge
loan facility.

     The following unaudited pro forma combined financial
information for the six months ended June 30, 2003 assumes that the
DIANON acquisition, which was closed by the Company on January 17,
2003, was acquired on January 1, 2003:

                                                   Six Months Ended
                                                    June 30, 2003
                                                   ----------------
Net sales                                              $1,463.9
Net earnings                                              160.4

Diluted earnings
   per common share                                    $   1.10

8.   GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

     The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill (net of
accumulated amortization) for the six-month period ended June 30,
2004 and for the year ended December 31, 2003 are as follows:
                                 June 30, 2004     December 31, 2003
                                 -------------     -----------------
Balance as of January 1           $ 1,285.9           $   910.1
Goodwill acquired during
   the period                          18.8               388.7
Adjustments to goodwill                 1.2               (12.9)
                                   --------            --------
Balance at end of period          $ 1,305.9           $ 1,285.9
                                   ========            ========

The components of identifiable intangible assets are as follows:

                         June 30, 2004            December 31, 2003
                    -----------------------   -----------------------
                     Gross                     Gross
                    Carrying   Accumulated    Carrying   Accumulated
                     Amount    Amortization    Amount    Amortization
                    -----------------------   -----------------------
Customer lists      $  596.1    $  132.8      $  582.5    $  118.1
Patents, licenses
  and technology        67.7        14.5          67.2        11.1
Non-compete
  agreements            25.4        19.2          23.0        18.1
Trade name              49.5         5.2          49.6         3.6
                     -------     -------       -------     -------
                    $  738.7    $  171.7      $  722.3    $  150.9
                     =======     =======       =======     =======

     Amortization of intangible assets for the six month and three
month periods ended June 30, 2004 was $20.8 and $10.5, respectively,
and $18.0 and $9.5 for the six month and three month periods ended
June 30, 2003.  Amortization expense for the net carrying amount of
intangible assets is estimated to be $21.0 for the remainder of
fiscal 2004, $42.3 in fiscal 2005, $40.9 in fiscal 2006, $39.4 in
fiscal 2007, and $37.2 in fiscal 2008.



     LABORATORY CORPORATION OF AMERICA HOLDINGS AND SUBSIDIARIES
     NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
          (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)

9. RESTRUCTURING RESERVES

     The following represents the Company's restructuring activities
for the period indicated:
                                                Lease and
                                 Severance   Other Facility
                                  Costs          Costs           Total
                                 ---------   --------------    --------
Balance at December 31, 2003       $ 4.0           $26.8          $30.8
  Cash payments                     (1.3)           (2.9)          (4.2)
  Reclassifications non-cash items    --            (1.7)          (1.7)
  Acquisition integration            1.2             2.7            3.9
                                    ----            ----           ----
Balance at June 30, 2004           $ 3.9           $24.9          $28.8
                                    ====            ====           ====

Current                                                           $14.3
Non-current                                                        14.5
                                                                   ----
                                                                  $28.8
                                                                   ====
10. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

The Company is involved in litigation purporting to be a nation-wide
class action involving the alleged overbilling of patients who are
covered by private insurance. The Company has reached a settlement
with the class that will not materially differ from accruals
previously established or have a material adverse effect on the
Company.  The Company has now substantially implemented its
obligations under the settlement.  On January 9, 2001, the Company
was served with a complaint in North Carolina which purported to be a
class action and made claims similar to those referred to above.
That claim has now been dismissed with prejudice.

     On June 24, 2003, the Company and certain of its executive
officers were sued in the United States District Court for the Middle
District of North Carolina in the first of a series of putative
shareholder class actions alleging securities fraud.  Since that
date, at least five other complaints containing substantially
identical allegations have been filed against the Company and certain
of the Company's executive officers.  Each of the complaints alleges
that the defendants violated the federal securities laws by making
material  misstatements and/or omissions that caused the price of the
Company's stock to be artificially inflated between February 13 and
October 3, 2002.  The plaintiffs seek certification of a class of
substantially all persons who purchased shares of the Company's stock
during that time period and unspecified monetary damages.  These six
cases have been consolidated and will proceed as a single case.  The
defendants deny any liability and intend to defend the case
vigorously. The plaintiffs have recently filed a consolidated amended
complaint.  On July 16, 2004, the defendants filed a motion to
dismiss this complaint and continue to defend the case vigorously. At
this time, it is premature to make any assessment of the potential
outcome of the cases or whether they could have a material adverse
effect on the Company's financial condition.

     The Company is the appellant in a patent case originally filed
in the United States District Court for the District of Colorado.



     LABORATORY CORPORATION OF AMERICA HOLDINGS AND SUBSIDIARIES
     NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
          (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)

The Company has disputed liability and contested the case vigorously.
After a jury trial, the district court entered judgment against the
Company for patent infringement, with total damages and attorneys
fees payable by the Company of approximately $7.8 million.  The
Company appealed the case to the United States Court of Appeals for
the Federal Circuit.  On June 8, 2004, that Court affirmed the
judgment against the Company.  On June 22, 2004 the Company filed a
request for rehearing of the decision.  The Company plans to continue
to vigorously contest the Judgment until it exhausts all reasonable
appellate rights. The Company has recorded a reserve for this
potential settlement.

     The Company is a party to two lawsuits involving Chiron Inc.
relating to Hepatitis C and HIV testing.  Chiron asserts that the
Company has infringed on Chiron's patents in each of these areas.
The Company denies liability and intends to contest the suits
vigorously.  It is premature at this juncture to assess the likely
outcome of these matters, or to determine whether they will have a
material effect on the Company.

     The Company is also involved in various claims and legal actions
arising in the ordinary course of business.  These matters include,
but are not limited to, intellectual property disputes, professional
liability, employee related matters, and inquiries from governmental
agencies and Medicare or Medicaid payors and managed care payors
requesting comment on allegations of billing irregularities that are
brought to their attention through billing audits or third parties.
In the opinion of management, based upon the advice of counsel and
consideration of all facts available at this time, the ultimate
disposition of these matters is not expected to have a material
adverse effect on the financial position, results of operations or
liquidity of the Company.  The Company is also named from time to
time in suits brought under the qui tam provisions of the False
Claims Act.  These suits typically allege that the Company has made
false statements and/or certifications in connection with claims for
payment from federal health care programs.  They may remain under
seal (hence, unknown to the Company) for some time while the
government decides whether to intervene on behalf of the qui tam
plaintiff.  Such claims are an inevitable part of doing business in
the health care field today and, in the opinion of management, based
upon the advice of counsel and consideration of all facts available
at this time, the ultimate disposition of those qui tam matters
presently known to the Company is not expected to have a material
adverse effect on the financial position, results of operations or
liquidity of the Company.

     The Company believes that it is in compliance in all material
respects with all statutes, regulations and other requirements
applicable to its clinical laboratory operations.  The clinical
laboratory testing industry is, however, subject to extensive
regulation, and many of these statutes and regulations have not been
interpreted by the courts.  There can be no assurance therefore that
applicable statutes and regulations might not be interpreted or
applied by a prosecutorial, regulatory or judicial authority in a
manner that would adversely affect the Company.  Potential sanctions
for violation of these statutes and regulations include significant



     LABORATORY CORPORATION OF AMERICA HOLDINGS AND SUBSIDIARIES
     NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
         (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)

fines and the loss of various licenses, certificates and
authorizations.

     Under the Company's present insurance programs, coverage is
obtained  for catastrophic exposures as well as those risks required
to be insured by law or contract.  The Company is responsible for the
uninsured portion of losses related primarily to general,
professional and vehicle liability, certain medical costs and
workers' compensation.  The self-insured retentions are on a per
occurrence basis without any aggregate annual limit. Provisions for
losses expected under these programs are recorded based upon the
Company's estimates of the aggregated liability of claims incurred.
At June 30, 2004 and 2003, the Company had provided letters of credit
aggregating approximately $52.9 and $46.1 respectively, primarily in
connection with certain insurance programs.

11. PENSION AND POSTRETIREMENT PLANS

     Substantially all employees of the Company are covered by a
defined benefit retirement plan (the "Company Plan").  The benefits
to be paid under the Company Plan are based on years of credited
service and average final compensation.  The Company's policy is to
fund the Company Plan with at least the minimum amount required by
applicable regulations.

     The Company has a second defined benefit plan which covers its
senior management group that provides for the payment of the
difference, if any, between the amount of any maximum limitation on
annual benefit payments under the Employee Retirement Income
Security Act of 1974 and the annual benefit that would be payable
under the Company Plan but for such limitation.  This plan is an
unfunded plan.

     The components of net periodic pension cost for both of the
defined benefit plans are summarized as follows:

                                         Three Months         Six Months
                                        Ended June 30,       Ended June 30,
                                      -----------------    -----------------
                                        2004      2003       2004      2003
                                      -----------------    -----------------
Components of net periodic
  benefit cost
Service Cost                          $  3.6    $  3.1     $  6.8    $  6.2
Interest Cost                            3.2       3.2        6.3       6.4
Expected return on plan assets          (4.2)     (3.2)      (7.9)     (6.4)
Net amortization and deferral            0.4       0.9        0.8       1.8
                                       -----     -----      -----     -----
Net periodic pension cost             $  3.0    $  4.0     $  6.0    $  8.0
                                       =====     =====      =====     =====



     LABORATORY CORPORATION OF AMERICA HOLDINGS AND SUBSIDIARIES
     NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
          (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)

     The Company assumed obligations under a subsidiary's
postretirement medical plan. Coverage under this plan is restricted
to a limited number of existing employees of the subsidiary.  This
plan is unfunded and the Company's policy is to fund benefits as
claims are incurred. The components of postretirement benefit
expense are as follows:

                                         Three Months         Six Months
                                        Ended June 30,       Ended June 30,
                                       ---------------      ----------------
                                        2004      2003       2004      2003
                                       ---------------      ----------------
Components of post retirement
  benefit expense
Service Cost                          $  0.3    $  0.2     $  0.5   $   0.4
Interest Cost                            0.8       0.8        1.8       1.6
Net amortization and deferral           (0.5)     (0.5)      (1.0)     (1.0)
Amortization of actuarial loss           0.3       0.2        0.7       0.4
                                       -----     -----      -----    ------
Postretirement benefit expense        $  0.9    $  0.7     $  2.0   $   1.4
                                       =====     =====      =====    ======

     The Company previously disclosed in its financial
statements for the year ended December 31, 2003, that it
expected to contribute $34.6  to its defined pension plan in
2004. As of June 30, 2004, $20.6 of contributions have been
made. The Company presently anticipates contributing an
additional $14.0 to fund its pension plan in 2004 for a total of
$34.6.




ITEM 2.  MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
         CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

     The Company has made in this report, and from time to time
may otherwise make in its public filings, press releases and
discussions by Company management, forward-looking statements
concerning the Company's operations, performance and financial
condition, as well as its strategic objectives.  Some of these
forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of
forward-looking words such as "believes", "expects", "may",
"will", "should", "seeks", "approximately", "intends", "plans",
"estimates", or "anticipates" or the negative of those words or
other comparable terminology.  Such forward-looking statements
are subject to various risks and uncertainties and the Company
claims the protection afforded by the safe harbor for forward-
looking statements contained in the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Actual results could differ
materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of
factors in addition to those discussed elsewhere herein and in
the Company's other public filings, press releases and
discussions with Company management, including:

1. changes in federal, state, local and third party payor
regulations or policies (or in the interpretation of current
regulations) affecting governmental and third-party
reimbursement for clinical laboratory testing;

2. adverse results from investigations of clinical laboratories
by the government, which may include significant monetary
damages and/or exclusion from the Medicare and Medicaid
programs;

3. loss or suspension of a license or imposition of a fine or
penalties under, or future changes in, the law or regulations of
the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act of 1967, and the Clinical
Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988, or those of Medicare,
Medicaid or other federal, state or local agencies;

4. failure to comply with the Federal Occupational Safety and
Health Administration requirements and the Needlestick Safety
and Prevention Act which may result in penalties and loss of
licensure;

5. failure to comply with HIPAA, which could result in
significant fines;

6. failure of third party payors to complete testing with the
Company, or accept or remit transactions in HIPAA-required
standard transaction and code set format, could result in an
interruption in the Company's cash flow;

7. increased competition, including price competition;

8. changes in payor mix, including an increase in capitated
managed-cost health care;

9. failure to obtain and retain new customers and alliance
partners, or a reduction in tests ordered or specimens
submitted by existing customers;




10.failure to integrate newly acquired businesses and the cost
related to such integration;

11.adverse results in litigation matters;

12.inability to attract and retain experienced and qualified
personnel;

13.failure to maintain the Company's days sales outstanding
levels;

14.decrease in credit ratings by Standard & Poor's and/or
Moody's;

15.failure to develop or acquire licenses for new or improved
technologies, or if customers use new technologies to perform
their own tests;

16.inability to commercialize newly licensed tests or
technologies or to obtain appropriate reimbursements for such
tests, which could result in impairment in the value of
certain capitalized licensing costs;

17.inability to obtain and maintain adequate patent and other
proprietary rights protection of the Company's products and
services and successfully enforce the Company's proprietary
rights;

18.the scope, validity and enforceability of patents and other
proprietary rights held by third parties which might have an
impact on the Company's ability to develop, perform, or
market the Company's tests or operate its business;

19.failure in the Company's information technology systems
resulting in an increase in testing turnaround time or
billing processes;

20.liabilities that result from the inability to comply with new
Corporate governance requirements; and

21.compliance by the Company with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002, including Section 404 of that Act which requires
management to report on, and our independent registered
public accounting firm to attest to and report on, our
internal controls, will require management to devote
substantial time and attention, which could prove to be
disruptive to product development and licensing, marketing
and other business activities and will require additional
legal, accounting and other expenses to implement the
requirements of these new rules.




RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

     As discussed in the Company's Annual Report for the year
ended December 31, 2003, the Company acquired DIANON Systems, Inc.
on January 17, 2003.  All dollar amounts are in millions.

Three Months ended June 30, 2004 compared with Three Months ended
June 30, 2003.

     Net sales for the three months ended June 30, 2004 were
$784.3 an increase of $40.6, or approximately 5.5%, from $743.7
for the comparable 2003 period.  The sales increase is a result of
an increase of approximately 5.0% in volume (primarily volume
growth in genomic and esoteric testing of approximately 10% as
well as volume growth of approximately 4% in the base business).
Price increased by approximately 0.5% for the quarter.

     Cost of sales, which includes primarily laboratory and
distribution costs, was $444.6 for the three months ended June 30,
2004 compared to $427.2 in the corresponding 2003 period, an
increase of $17.4, or 4.1%.  The increase in cost of sales is
primarily the result of increases in volume discussed above. Cost
of sales as a percentage of net sales was 56.7% for the three
months ended June 30, 2004 and 57.4% in the corresponding 2003
period.  Cost of sales as a percentage of sales was impacted by
the Company's ongoing cost reduction programs.

     Selling, general and administrative expenses increased to
$165.0 for the three months ended June 30, 2004 from $164.1 in the
same period in 2003.  As a percentage of net sales, selling,
general and administrative expenses were 21.0% and 22.1% for the
three months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively.  This
decrease in selling, general and administrative expenses as a
percentage of net sales is a result of realized synergies from the
Dynacare and DIANON acquisitions, as well as a reduced effective
bad debt expense rate, resulting from improved billing
performance.

     The amortization of intangibles and other assets was $10.5
and $9.5 for the three months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003.  The
increase in the amortization expense for the three months ended
June 30, 2004 is a result of small acquisitions.

     Interest expense was $9.3 for the three months ended June 30,
2004 compared with $10.0 for the same period in 2003.  This
decrease was a direct result of debt reductions following the
Company's financing of the DIANON acquisition in 2003.

     Income from equity investments was $12.1 for the three months
ended June 30, 2004 compared with $11.3 for the same period in
2003.  This income represents the Company's ownership share in
equity affiliates acquired as part of the Dynacare acquisition on
July 25, 2002.  A significant portion of this income is derived from
investments in Ontario and Alberta, Canada, and is earned in
Canadian dollars.

     The provision for income taxes as a percentage of earnings
before taxes was 41.0% for the three month periods June 30, 2004 and
2003.



Six Months ended June 30, 2004 compared with Six Months ended June
30, 2003.

     Net sales for the six months ended June 30, 2004 were
$1,536.8, an increase of $80.9, or 5.6%, from $1,455.9 for the
same period in 2003. The sales increase is a result of an increase
in volume (primarily volume growth in genomic and esoteric testing
of approximately 10% as well as volume growth of approximately 5%
in the base business). Price was essentially flat for the first
six months.

     Cost of sales, which includes primarily laboratory and
distribution costs, was $879.5 for the six months ended June 30,
2004 compared to $842.9 for the same period of 2003, an increase
of $36.6, or 4.3%. The increase in cost of sales is primarily the
result of increases in volume discussed above. Cost of sales as a
percentage of net sales was 57.2% for the six months ended June
30, 2004 and 57.9% for the same period in 2003. Cost of sales as a
percentage of sales was impacted by the Company's ongoing cost
reduction programs.

     Selling, general and administrative expenses increased to
$328.0 for the six months ended June 30, 2004 from $327.4 for the
same period in 2003. As a percentage of net sales, selling,
general and administrative expenses were 21.3% and 22.5% for the
three months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively.  This
decrease in selling, general and administrative expenses as a
percentage of net sales is a result of realized synergies from the
Dynacare and DIANON acquisitions, as well as a reduced effective
bad debt expense rate, resulting from improved billing
performance.

     The amortization of intangibles and other assets was $20.8
and $18.0 for the six months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003.  The
increase in the amortization expense for the six months ended June
30, 2004 is a result of small acquisitions.

     Interest expense was $18.6 for the six months ended June 30,
2004 compared with $21.4 for the same period in 2003.  This
decrease was a direct result of debt reductions following the
Company's financing of the DIANON acquisition in 2003.

     The provision for income taxes as a percentage of earnings
before taxes was 41.0% for the six months ended June 30, 2004
compared to 40.8% for the six months ended June 30, 2003.


LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

     Net cash provided by operating activities was $294.3 and $258.2
for the six months ended June 30, 2004 and June 30, 2003,
respectively.  The increase in cash flows from operations primarily
resulted from improved earnings, the expansion of the business
through acquisitions, and the improvement of the Company's accounts
receivable days' sales oustanding ("DSO") to 52 days at June 30,
2004 from 54 days at June 30, 2003.

     Capital expenditures were $42.6 and $37.4 at June 30, 2004 and
2003, respectively.  The Company expects total capital expenditures
of approximately $90.0 to $100.0 in 2004.  These expenditures are
intended to continue to improve information systems and further



automate laboratory processes.  Such expenditures are expected to be
funded by cash flow from operations.

On December 17, 2003, the Company's Board of Directors
authorized a stock repurchase program under which the Company may
purchase up to an aggregate of $250.0 of its common stock from time-
to-time, beginning in the first quarter of 2004. During the first
six months of 2004, the Company purchased approximately 4.6 million
shares of its common stock totaling $182.1 with cash flow from
operations. It is the Company's intention to fund future purchases
of its common stock with cash flow from operations.

     Based on current and projected levels of operations, coupled
with availability under its revolving credit facilities, the Company
believes it has sufficient liquidity to meet both its short-term and
long-term cash needs.

CONTRACTUAL CASH OBLIGATIONS

                      Payments Due by Period at June 30, 2004
                      ---------------------------------------
                      < 1 Yr    1-3 Yrs   3-5 Yrs    > 5 Yrs
                      ---------------------------------------
Capital lease
  obligations         $  1.4   $  2.5    $  1.2     $   --
Operating leases        57.5     75.3      34.1       25.3
Restructuring
  obligations            2.3      6.4       5.9        6.4
Contingent future
  licensing payments(a)  9.7     31.1      19.0        0.4
Royalty payments         0.3      1.8       2.0         --
5 1/2% Senior Notes       --       --        --      350.0
Zero Coupon-
  Subordinated Notes   530.5(b)    --        --         --
                       -----    -----     -----      -----
  Total contractual
    Cash obligations  $601.7   $117.1    $ 62.2     $382.1
                       =====    =====     =====      =====

(a) Contingent future licensing payments will be made in the
event that certain events take place, such as the launch of
a specific test, the transfer of certain technology, and
when specified revenue milestones are met.

(b) Holders of the zero coupon-subordinated notes may require the
Company to purchase all or a portion of their notes on
September 11, 2004, 2006 and 2011 at prices ranging from
$712.97 to $819.54 per note.  The Company may choose to pay
the purchase price in cash or common stock or a combination
of cash and common stock.  If the holders elect to require
the Company to purchase their notes, it is the Company's
current intention to retire the notes by a cash payment.
However, future market conditions are subject to change.
Should the holders put the notes to the Company on any of
the dates above, the Company believes that it will be able
to satisfy this contingent obligation with cash on hand,
borrowings on the revolving credit facility, and additional
financing if necessary.



EITF NO 04-8 "THE EFFECT OF CONTINGENTLY CONVERTIBLE DEBT ON DILUTED
EARNINGS PER SHARE"

     In July 2004, the Emerging Issues Task Force ("EITF") of
the Financial Accounting Standards Board provided a tentative
conclusion on EITF Issue No. 04-8, "The Effect of Contingently
Convertible Debt on Diluted Earnings per Share." Under the
EITF's tentative conclusion, contingently convertible shares
attached to a debt instrument are to be included in the
calculation of diluted earnings per share regardless of whether
the contingency has been met. Historically the Company has
followed the guidance of paragraph 30 of SFAS No. 128, "Earnings
Per Share", and excluded these contingently convertible shares
from its calculations of diluted earnings per share. If a final
consensus is reached in support of the tentative EITF
conclusion, the Company would be required to adopt the
provisions of EITF No 04-8 for its zero coupon-subordinated
notes for periods ending after December 15, 2004, including the
retroactive restatement of all diluted earnings per share
calculations for all periods presented. The EITF Issue No 04-8
is currently subject to a comment period and the EITF will
review the comments at its September 2004 meeting. Based on a
review of the provisions of the Issue No 04-8, the Company has
determined that the adoption would result in the reduction of
its diluted earnings per share. Using the "if converted" method
as if the zero coupon-subordinated notes had been converted as
of January 1, 2004, diluted income per share of common stock
from continuing operations would have been reduced by
approximately $0.03, to $0.67; and by $0.06, to $1.24; for the
three and six months ended June 30, 2004, respectively. However,
the exact amount of dilution cannot be determined until final
guidance is provided by the EITF.



ITEM 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about
         Market Risk

     The Company addresses its exposure to market risks, principally
the market risk associated with changes in interest rates, through a
controlled program of risk management that has included in the past,
the use of derivative financial instruments such as interest rate
swap agreements. The Company had an interest rate swap agreement
with a major financial institution, solely to manage its interest
rate exposure on $175.0 million of its 5 1/2% senior notes.  This
swap agreement was terminated during June 2003 and the Company
received net proceeds of $5.3 million.  Although, as set forth
below, the Company's zero coupon-subordinated notes contain
features that are considered to be embedded derivative
instruments, the Company does not hold or issue derivative
financial instruments for trading purposes.  The Company does not
believe that its exposure to market risk is material to the
Company's financial position or results of operations.

     The Company's zero coupon-subordinated notes contain the
following three features that are considered to be embedded
derivative instruments under SFAS No. 133:

1) The Company will pay contingent cash interest on the zero
coupon-subordinated notes after September 11, 2006, if the
average market price of the notes equals 120% or more of the



sum of the issue price, accrued original issue discount and
contingent additional principal, if any, for a specified
measurement period.
2) Contingent additional principal will accrue on the zero
coupon-subordinated notes during the two-year period from
September 11, 2004 to September 11, 2006, if the Company's
stock price is at or below specified thresholds.
3) Holders may surrender zero coupon-subordinated notes for
conversion during any period in which the rating assigned to
the zero coupon-subordinated notes by Standard & Poor's
Ratings Services is BB- or lower.

     Based upon independent appraisals, these embedded derivatives
had no fair value at June 30, 2004.

ITEM 4.  Controls and Procedures

As of the end of the period covered by this Form 10-Q, the
Company carried out, under the supervision and with the
participation of the Company's management, including the
Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer,
an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation
of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures.  Based on
the foregoing, the Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief
Financial Officer concluded that the Company's disclosure
controls and procedures are effective in timely alerting them to
material information which is required to be included in the
periodic reports that the Company must file with the Securities
and Exchange Commission.

     There were no significant changes in the Company's internal
controls or in other factors that could adversely affect the
internal controls as of the end of the second fiscal quarter.




LABORATORY CORPORATION OF AMERICA HOLDINGS AND SUBSIDIARIES

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.  Legal Proceedings

           See "Note 10 to the Company's Unaudited Condensed
           Consolidated Financial Statements" for the three
           months ended June 30, 2004, which is incorporated
           by reference.

Item 2.   Changes in Securities, Use of Proceeds and Issuer
         Purchases of Equity Securities

(e) Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities (Dollars and Shares in
      millions except per share amounts)

                                                  Total Number
                                               Of Shares        Maximum
                                    Average   Repurchased     Dollar Value
                         Total       Price     as Part of      of Shares
                         Number      Paid       Publicly     that May Yet Be
                        of Shares     Per      Announced    Repurchased Under
                       Repurchased   Share      Program        the Program
                       ----------- ---------  -----------   -----------------
January 1-January 31       0.3      $38.317        0.3           $239.5
February 1-February 29     0.4       38.872        0.7            223.2
March 1-March 31           1.0       38.562        1.7            183.4
April 1-April 30           0.9       39.623        2.6            149.2
May 1-May 31               1.0       39.787        3.6            109.7
June 1-June 30             1.0       41.444        4.6             67.9
                        ------       ------     ------           ------
Total                      4.6       39.675        4.6             67.9
                        ======       ======     ======           ======

On December 17, 2003, the Company's Board of Directors
authorized and announced stock repurchase program under which the
Company may purchase up to an aggregate of $250.0 of its common
stock from time-to-time, beginning in the first quarter of 2004.

Item 4.   Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

     The following votes were provided by American Stock Transfer
& Trust Company in their proxy tabulation reports dated May 13,
2004:

Total outstanding shares of Laboratory Corporation
of America Holdings(NEW):                           143,014,042
Total shares voted                                  128,995,046

                                          Votes         Authority
                                           For          Withheld
                                       -----------     -----------
Election of the members
of the Board of Directors:
           Thomas P. Mac Mahon         127,736,466      1,258,580
           Jean-Luc Belingard          128,274,491        720,555
           Wendy E. Lane               126,998,863      1,996,183
           Robert E. Mittelstaedt, Jr. 128,296,535        698,511
           Andrew G. Wallace, MD       128,252,670        742,376
           M. Keith Weikel             128,296,529        698,517
           Craig M. Watson             128,295,455        699,591




Item 4.     Submission of Matters to a Vote of
               Security Holders- Continued

                                Votes       Votes     Votes    Broker
                                 For       Against  Abstained Non-Votes
                              ----------- --------- --------- ---------
Approval of the Amendments
To the Laboratory Corporation
of America Holdings 1997
Employee Stock Purchase Plan  100,350,134 1,534,136 331,706  26,779,070

Ratification of the
appointment of
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
as the Company's independent
accountants for the fiscal
year ending December 31, 2004 127,496,560 1,215,663 282,823       --


Total outstanding shares of Laboratory Corporation
of America Holdings (OLD):                                   40,863
Total shares voted                                            4,722

                                            Votes          Votes
                                             For          Withheld
                                          ---------       ---------
Election of the members
of the Board of Directors:
           Thomas P. Mac Mahon               4,622              100
           Jean-Luc Belingard                4,722                0
           Wendy E. Lane                     4,722                0
           Robert E. Mittelstaedt, Jr.       4,722                0
           Andrew G. Wallace, MD             4,722                0
           M. Keith Weikel                   4,722                0
           Craig M. Watson                   4,722                0

                                    Votes        Votes         Votes
                                     For         Against     Abstained
                                   ------       --------     ---------
Approval of the Amendment to the
Laboratory Corporation of America
Holdings 1997 Employee Stock
Purchase Plan                       3,285           0         1,437

Ratification of the appointment of
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the
Company's independent accountants
for the fiscal year ending
December 31, 2004:                  3,285           0         1,437




Item 4.     Submission of Matters to a Vote of
               Security Holders- Continued


     In addition, certain shares of National Health Laboratories
Holdings Inc. (NHL) which have not been converted to Company shares
were eligible to vote at the annual meeting and were voted as follows:

Total outstanding NHL shares:                                116
Total shares voted:                                            5


                                            Votes          Votes
                                             For          Withheld
                                           --------       --------
Election of the members
of the Board of Directors:
          Thomas P. Mac Mahon                   5              0
          Jean-Luc Belingard                    5              0
          Wendy E. Lane                         5              0
          Robert E. Mittelstaedt, Jr.           5              0
          Andrew G. Wallace, MD                 5              0
          M. Keith Weikel                       5              0
          Craig M. Watson                       5              0

                                    Votes        Votes         Votes
                                     For         Against     Abstained
                                   -------       -------     ---------
Approval of the Amendment to the
Laboratory Corporation of America
Holdings 1997 Employee
Stock Purchase Plan                   5             0            0

Ratification of the appointment of
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the
Company's independent accountants
for the fiscal year ending
December 31, 2004:                    5             0            0





Item 5. Other Information

Senior Executive Transition Policy

In April 2004, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board of
Directors, and the Board adopted, a Senior Executive Transition
Policy (the "Policy").

An Executive Officer is eligible for benefits under this Policy if:
(1) he or she held office as the President/CEO or an Executive Vice
President on or after April 1, 2004; (2) at the time of his or her
voluntary termination, has been an Executive Vice President or
President/CEO of LabCorp for at least five years; (3) has been
credited with at least 10 years of service under the LabCorp
Employees' Retirement Savings Plan at their termination date; and (4)
has entered into a non-competition agreement with the Company within
30 days of the adoption of the Policy or his or her appointment as an
Executive Vice President or President/CEO. If a qualifying executive
resigns before attaining age 65, the departed executive's restricted
stock and stock option awards will continue to vest and be
exercisable on the same terms as if the executive had continued his
or her employment with LabCorp. The benefits of the Policy will be
available only if the executive officer complies with the terms of
the Policy regarding (a) minimizing any possible adverse effect on
shareholders of his or her announcement of and statements regarding,
a decision or intention to terminate employment before age 65; (b)
the reasonableness of the period between his or her announcement of a
decision or intention to retire and the announced and/or actual
termination date; and (c) compliance with an individualized plan to
be developed by the Board of Directors for the transition of his or
her duties to others, including a successor.

Each of the Company's Executive Officers as of the adoption of
the policy entered into a non-competition agreement with the
Company within the time periods set forth above.

Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

(a) Exhibits

10.1  Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings Senior Executive
      Transition Policy

31.1  Certification pursuant to Section 302 of
      the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 by the Chief
      Executive Officer

31.2  Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the
      Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 by the Chief
      Financial Officer

  32  Certification pursuant to Section 906 of
      the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 by the Chief
      Executive Officer and the Chief Financial
      Officer

(b) Reports on Form 8-K

    N/A




                       S I G N A T U R E S


      Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.



               LABORATORY CORPORATION OF AMERICA HOLDINGS
                             Registrant



                           By:/s/THOMAS P. MAC MAHON
                              ---------------------------
                                  Thomas P. Mac Mahon
                                  Chairman, President and
                                  Chief Executive Officer



                           By:/S/WESLEY R. ELINGBURG
                              ---------------------------
                                  Wesley R. Elingburg
                                  Executive Vice President,
                                  Chief Financial Officer and
                                  Treasurer

August 4, 2004