Exhibit 32.2


    CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. 'SS' 1350,
      AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

           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, 2004 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: March 10, 2005                      /s/ Robert A. Hagemann
                                           ------------------------------------
                                               Robert A. Hagemann
                                               Senior Vice President and
                                               Chief Financial Officer