Exhibit 99.1


                           LIFEPOINT HOSPITALS, INC.

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


         In connection with the Report of LifePoint Hospitals, Inc. (the
"Company") on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2002, as filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), I, Kenneth
C. Donahey, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company,
certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Sec. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Sec. 906 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

         (1)      The Report fully complies with the requirements of section
13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

         (2)      Information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all
material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the
Company.


Date: August 13, 2002                    /s/ Kenneth C. Donahey
                                         -------------------------------------
                                         Kenneth C. Donahey,
                                         Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and
                                         President