EXHIBIT 2(a)


            AMENDMENT TO AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER


          AMENDMENT TO AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER (the
"Amendment") dated as of May 1, 1996, by and among Olsten
Corporation, a Delaware corporation ("Olsten"), QHR Acquisition
Corp., a Delaware corporation that is a wholly-owned subsidiary
of Olsten ("Merger Sub") and Quantum Health Resources, Inc., a
Delaware corporation ("Quantum").

          WHEREAS, Olsten, Merger Sub and Quantum are parties to
an Agreement and Plan of Merger dated May 1, 1996 (the "Merger
Agreement"), which provides, among other things, for the merger
of Merger Sub with and into Quantum, such that Quantum shall
survive as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Olsten (the "Merger");

          WHEREAS, Olsten, Merger Sub and Quantum desire to amend
Section 6.9(e) of the Merger Agreement pursuant to this Amendment
to provide for the appropriate treatment of the Quantum
Convertible Subordinated Debentures (as defined in the Merger
Agreement) after the Effective Time (as defined in the Merger
Agreement);

          NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and
the mutual covenants and agreements herein contained, and
intending to be legally bound hereby, subject to the terms and
conditions set forth herein, Olsten, Merger Sub and Quantum
hereby agree as follows: 

          Section 1.  Section 6.9(e) of the Merger Agreement
shall be amended by deleting the first sentence thereof in its
entirety and inserting the following new sentence in lieu
thereof:

"From and after the Effective Time, each Quantum Convertible
Subordinated Debenture shall entitle the holder thereof to
convert such Quantum Convertible Subordinated Debenture into the
number of shares of Class B Stock receivable by a holder of the
number of shares of Quantum Common Stock into which such Quantum
Convertible Subordinated Debenture might have been converted
immediately prior to the Effective Time (subject to adjustment
after the Effective Time as provided in the Quantum Indenture);
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the number of shares of Class B Stock
issuable upon conversion of a Quantum Convertible Subordinated
Debenture shall not include any fractional shares and, upon
exercise of such Quantum Convertible Subordinated Debenture, a
cash payment shall be made for any fractional share based upon
the closing price of a share of Olsten Common Stock on the NYSE
on the trading day immediately prior to the date of conversion."

          Section 2.  The Merger Agreement shall be amended and
restated in its entirety as of May 1, 1996, to reflect the
foregoing amendment.

          Section 3.  This Amendment may be executed in two or
more counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the
same agreement and shall become effective when two or more
counterparts have been signed by each of the parties and
delivered to the other parties, it being understood that all
parties need not sign the same counterpart.

          Section 4.  This Amendment shall be governed by, and
interpreted under, the laws of the State of Delaware applicable
to contracts made and to be performed therein without regard to
conflicts of law principles.

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Olsten, Merger Sub and Quantum have
caused this Amendment to Agreement and Plan of Merger to be
executed as of May 1, 1996, by the respective officers thereunto
duly authorized.


                         OLSTEN CORPORATION


                         By:  /s/ William P. Costantini
                              Senior Vice President
                                        

                         QHR ACQUISITION CORP.


                         By:  /s/ William P. Costantini
                              Senior Vice President


                         QUANTUM HEALTH RESOURCES, INC.


                         By:  /s/ Douglas H. Stickney
                              Chairman, President and
                              Chief Executive Officer