LIFEPOINT
                                HOSPITALS, INC.



CONTACT:  MICHAEL J. CULOTTA
          SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT AND
           CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
          (615) 372-8512

              LIFEPOINT HOSPITALS TO ACQUIRE RUSSELLVILLE HOSPITAL

BRENTWOOD, TENNESSEE (August 12, 2002) - LifePoint Hospitals, Inc. (NASDAQ:
LPNT) today announced the signing of a definitive agreement to acquire
Russellville Hospital in Russellville, Alabama, from The Healthcare Authority of
Lauderdale County and the City of Florence, Alabama. Accredited by the Joint
Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, Russellville Hospital
is a 100-bed acute care facility serving Franklin County. Closing of the
acquisition is expected in early October 2002. The anticipated purchase price of
approximately $21 million includes the cost of inventory at the time of closing
and assumption of certain liabilities, particularly relating to accrued paid
time-off obligations to employees of the hospital.

         Kenneth C. Donahey, chairman and chief executive officer of LifePoint
Hospitals, said, "We are excited about the opportunity to have our second
hospital in Alabama. We are very impressed by the Russellville community and the
quality of the medical staff. This hospital will complement our existing group
of non-urban hospitals and will enhance our long term operating strategy of
delivering high quality healthcare to the communities we serve."

         LifePoint Hospitals, Inc. operates 23 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 7,000
employees.

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         The above statements include forward-looking statements based on
current management expectations. Numerous factors exist which may cause results
to differ from these expectations. Many of the factors that will determine the
Company's future results are beyond the ability of the Company to control or
predict. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties relating to the
Company, including without limitation, (i) possible changes in reimbursement to
healthcare providers and insurers that may reduce payments; (ii) its ability to
attract and retain qualified management and personnel, including physicians,
nurses and clinical support personnel; (iii) the geographic concentration of the
Company's operations; (iv) risks associated with the Company's acquisition and
disposition strategies; (v) the management of healthcare risks as a result of
the delivery of patient care; (vi) the regulated nature of the healthcare
industry; (vii) the highly competitive nature of the healthcare business; (viii)
the potential adverse impact of government investigations and litigation
involving the business practices of HCA (to the extent relating to periods prior
to the Company's formation); (ix) fluctuations in the market value of the
Company's common stock; (x) the possibility that existing accounting practices
relating to the treatment of the extraordinary charge to be incurred by the
Company will be changed based on current proposals; (xi) the possibility that
the Company's judgment regarding the tax implications of the purchase of its
10 3/4% Senior Subordinated Notes could be challenged; (xii) the possibility
that the Company's liquidity needs could change; and (xiii) those risks and
uncertainties detailed from time to time in the Company's filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission. Therefore, the Company's actual results may
differ materially. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any
forward-looking statements, or to make any other forward-looking statements,
whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

         All references to "Company" and "LifePoint" as used throughout this
document refer to LifePoint Hospitals, Inc. and its affiliates.



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