EXHIBIT 99



(PROVINCE HEALTHCARE LOGO)

                                                 NEWS RELEASE
                                                 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

                                                 CONTACT: CHRISTOPHER T. HANNON
                                                 SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, CFO
                                                 (615) 370-1377



              PROVINCE HEALTHCARE ANNOUNCES SALE OF BRIM HEALTHCARE

         Brentwood, TN, June 30, 2004 - Province Healthcare Company (NYSE: PRV)
today announced the sale of the stock of the hospital management company, Brim
Healthcare, Inc. to Brim Holding Company, Inc., an independent investor owned
Delaware corporation, for approximately $13.2 million in cash. Brim generated
approximately $15.8 million in net revenues in 2003.

         Province anticipates recording an after-tax gain on the sale of Brim of
approximately $7.0 million, or $0.12 per share, in the second quarter ending
June 30, 2004. The gain on the sale of Brim will be reported as discontinued
operations.

         Martin S. Rash, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Province, said,
"Brim Healthcare has been a solid performer for Province since December 1996.
However, the hospital management business is not our core business nor in line
with the Company's long-term strategic plan focusing solely on rural hospital
operations. In the early years of Province, several hospital acquisitions came
from Brim, but we no longer see the acquisition possibilities as likely."

         Dave Woodland, President of Brim Healthcare, Inc., said, "While our
relationship with Province has been solid, we are excited about our future as a
stand alone company and look forward to sustained growth."




         Province Healthcare is a provider of health care services in attractive
non-urban markets in the United States. The Company owns or leases 20 general
acute care hospitals in 12 states with a total of 2,486 licensed beds.

         Certain information contained in this release constitutes
forward-looking statements. These statements are based only on our current
estimates of future events. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown
risks and uncertainties which may cause our actual results in future periods to
differ materially from forecasted results. Those and other risks and
uncertainties are described in our most recent reports and filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission. You should not rely on the forward-looking
statements contained in this release, as we cannot predict or control many of
the factors that may cause future events or results to differ from those
forecasted. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements
on the basis of any information, future events or otherwise.


CONTACT: Christopher T. Hannon, Province Healthcare Company (PRV) at
(615) 370-1377