WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.

  

<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
</LEGEND>
<CIK>                         0001022079
<NAME>                        Quest Diagnostics Incorporated
<MULTIPLIER>                                     1,000
<CURRENCY>                                        U.S.
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-mos
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                          41,960
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  297,743
<ALLOWANCES>                                   115,018
<INVENTORY>                                     28,524
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               510,965
<PP&E>                                         287,749
<DEPRECIATION>                                 287,418
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,395,066
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          249,432
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                      1,000
<COMMON>                                     1,170,440
<OTHER-SE>                                   (632,721)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,395,066
<SALES>                                      1,616,296
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,616,296
<CGS>                                        1,010,875
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,506,198
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 1,213
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               111,238
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              74,918
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              (676,202)
<INCOME-TAX>                                  (50,242)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          (625,960)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 (625,960)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0