Exhibit 99.1



                    STATEMENT PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. 'SS' 1350

         Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 'SS' 1350, the undersigned certifies that, to the
best of my knowledge, the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended
December 31, 2002 of Quest Diagnostics Incorporated, as being filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission concurrently herewith, fully complies with
the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 (15 U.S.C. 'SS' 78m or 78o(d)) and that the information contained in the
Annual Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition
and results of operations of Quest Diagnostics Incorporated.


Dated:   February 27, 2003             /s/ Kenneth W. Freeman
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Kenneth W. Freeman
                                       Chief Executive Officer