EXHIBIT 99


                                   LIFEPOINT
                                HOSPITALS, INC.



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

              LIFEPOINT HOSPITALS TO ACQUIRE LOGAN GENERAL HOSPITAL

BRENTWOOD, TENNESSEE (November 14, 2002) - LifePoint Hospitals, Inc. (NASDAQ:
LPNT) today announced that it has been selected to acquire Logan, West
Virginia-based Logan General Hospital and its affiliated entities. The unanimous
decision of the hospital's Board of Directors was confirmed by the United States
Bankruptcy Court in Charleston, West Virginia, last evening. Accredited by the
Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, Logan General
Hospital is a 132-bed facility serving Logan and surrounding communities. The
anticipated purchase price of approximately $87.5 million includes working
capital. LifePoint also agreed to assume certain liabilities, including paid
time-off obligations and other benefits promised to employees of the hospital.
Closing of the acquisition is expected later this month.

         Kenneth C. Donahey, chairman and chief executive officer of LifePoint
Hospitals, said, "We are excited about the addition of this facility and
affiliated entities in West Virginia to our growing number of hospitals. We
commend the hospital Board, its employees, physicians and the local community
for their continued support of and commitment to Logan General Hospital and
affiliated entities. We look forward to becoming a member of this community and
to continuing the provision of essential healthcare services to the people of
Logan and southern West Virginia. This facility will enhance our long-term
operating strategy of delivering high-quality healthcare to the communities we
serve."

         LifePoint Hospitals, Inc. operates 24 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.

         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; and
(viii) 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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