<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-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                          29,300
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  617,200
<ALLOWANCES>                                   111,600
<INVENTORY>                                     44,300
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               721,500
<PP&E>                                         457,600
<DEPRECIATION>                                 174,700
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,917,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          252,800
<BONDS>                                      1,270,500
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         1,200
<OTHER-SE>                                     256,900
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,917,000
<SALES>                                      1,607,700
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,607,700
<CGS>                                        1,183,800
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,183,800
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               542,600
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              71,700
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              (188,278)
<INCOME-TAX>                                  (34,800)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          (153,500)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 (153,500)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (1.25)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (1.25)