EXHIBIT 3.4

                                     BYLAWS
                                       OF
                          ARDENT HEALTH SERVICES, INC.

                                    ARTICLE I
                         ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

         The annual meeting of shareholders for the election of directors and
such other purposes as may be set forth in the notice of meeting shall be held
at the time and place, within or without the State of Delaware, fixed by the
Board of Directors.

                                   ARTICLE II
                        SPECIAL MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS

         Special meetings of the shareholders may be held at any place within or
without the State of Delaware upon call of the Board of Directors, the Chairman
of the Board of Directors, if any, the President, or the holders of ten percent
of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock entitled to vote.

                                   ARTICLE III
                            TRANSFER OF CAPITAL STOCK

         The capital stock of the Corporation shall be transferred on the books
of the Corporation by surrender of properly endorsed certificates therefor by
the holders thereof or their duly authorized attorneys-in-fact.

                                   ARTICLE IV
                               BOARD OF DIRECTORS

         The business of the Corporation shall be managed by the Board of
Directors consisting of not less than two nor more than fifteen members, such
number of directors within such range to be fixed from time to time by action of
the Board of Directors. The range in size for the Board of Directors may be
increased or decreased by the shareholders. Vacancies in the Board of Directors,
whether resulting from an increase in the number of members of the Board of
Directors, the removal of members of the Board of Directors with or without
cause, or otherwise, may be filled by a vote of a majority of directors of the
Board of Directors then in office. Directors may be removed with or without
cause by the shareholders.



                                    ARTICLE V
                       MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

         Regular meetings of the Board of Directors, if any, may be held without
notice of the date, time, place or purpose of the meeting. Special meetings of
the Board of Directors may be held at any place within or outside of the State
of Delaware upon the call of the Chairman of the Board of Directors, if any, the
President or any two directors, which call shall set forth the date, time and
place of the special meeting. Written, oral or any other mode of notice of the
date, time and place of the meeting shall be given for special meetings in
sufficient time, which need not exceed two days in advance, for the convenient
assembly of the directors. One-third of the number of the directors then in
office, but not less than two directors, shall constitute a quorum.

                                   ARTICLE VI
                                    OFFICERS

         The Board of Directors shall elect a President and Secretary, and such
other officers as it may deem appropriate. The President, Secretary and any
other officer so appointed by the Board of Directors are authorized to execute
certificates representing shares of the Corporation's capital stock. Persons may
hold more than one office. Officers shall have the authority and
responsibilities given them by the Board of Directors, and each officer shall
hold office until his successor is elected and qualified, unless a different
term is specified by the Board of Directors.

                                   ARTICLE VII
                                   COMMITTEES

         By resolution adopted by the majority of the Board of Directors then in
office, the directors may designate from among their number one or more
directors to constitute an Executive Committee and other committees, each of
which, to the extent permitted by law, shall have the authority granted it by
the Board of Directors.

                                  ARTICLE VIII
                                   AMENDMENTS

         The Bylaws of the Corporation may be amended or repealed, and
additional Bylaws may be adopted, by the shareholders in accordance with the
laws of the State of Delaware.

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