EXHIBIT 99


                      LIFEPOINT HOSPITALS TO BROADCAST ITS
               THIRD QUARTER CONFERENCE CALL LIVE ON THE INTERNET


BRENTWOOD, TENNESSEE (October 15, 2001) - LifePoint Hospitals, Inc. (NASDAQ:
LPNT) announced today that it will provide an online Web simulcast of its third
quarter 2001 earnings conference call on Tuesday, October 23, 2001. The
Company's results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2001, will be
released after the close of the market on Monday, October 22, 2001.

         The live broadcast of LifePoint Hospitals' conference call will begin
at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time on October 23, 2001. A 30-day online replay will be
available approximately two hours following the conclusion of the live
broadcast. A link to these events can be found on the Company's website at
www.lifepointhospitals.com or www.streetevents.com.

         LifePoint Hospitals, Inc. owns and operates 22 hospitals in non-urban
areas. In most cases, the LifePoint facility is the only hospital in its
community. LifePoint's non-urban operating strategy offers continued operational
improvement by focusing on its five core values: delivering high quality patient
care, supporting physicians, creating excellent workplaces for its employees,
providing community value, and ensuring fiscal responsibility. Headquartered in
Brentwood, Tennessee, LifePoint Hospitals is affiliated with over 6,000
employees.

CONTACT:    KENNETH C. DONAHEY
            PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
            (615) 372-8533