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                                                                    EXHIBIT 2.1


        INVESTOR CONTACT:                                MEDIA CONTACT:
        Joseph Scime                                         Dina Silva
        Director Investor Relations                    Rubenstein Media
        (561) 832-0006                                   (212) 843-8057
        Website: www.usdl.com

                                                  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


                    US DIAGNOSTIC INC. COMPLETES MERGER WITH
                    MEDICAL IMAGING CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC.


            Acquisition Adds 22 Diagnostic Imaging Centers And Sites
                   And 1 Radiation Oncology Center To Largest
           Outpatient Diagnostic Imaging Services Provider In Nation


West Palm Beach, Florida, and San Diego, California, November 12, 1996 - US
Diagnostic Inc. (NASDAQ NMS:USDL) and Medical Imaging Centers of America, Inc.,
"MICA", (OTC Bulletin Board: MIGA) reported today that they have completed
their previously announced merger, with USDL paying $11.75 in cash for each
share of MICA common stock.  MICA announced on November 6, 1996 that its
shareholders overwhelmingly approved the merger.

        Robert S. Muehlberg, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
of MICA, will continue to work closely with USDL management in a consulting
capacity.

        According to Jeffrey Goffman, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of
USDL, "We are pleased to have completed the merger with MICA after having gained
the recent approval of their shareholders.  This acquisition will add 23
facilities to USDL's network of multi-modality outpatient diagnostic imaging
centers in several important markets and will allow us to continue to realize
our strategy of regional dominance in key states such as Florida and
California."

        Joseph Paul, President of USDL, added that USDL is continuing
discussions to resolve the dispute with Raytel Medical Corporation concerning
MICA's Orlando facility.  "We believe that the dispute will be resolved shortly.
The MICA/Raytel Orlando facility is not material to the overall profitability of
MICA."  Raytel had filed suit alleging that MICA and USDL had violated certain
agreements with Raytel concerning the Orlando center.  The court denied Raytel's
motion to enjoin the merger but placed certain restrictions on the operation of
this center pending the resolution of the dispute.

        US Diagnostic Inc. is the leading provider of radiology services
focused on the acquisition, operation and management of multi-modality
diagnostic imaging centers and related medical facilities in the United
States.  The company currently owns 106 diagnostic imaging facilities and
manages 19 other radiology facilities in 16 states and has announced plans to
acquire an additional 5 facilities.