CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS Price Waterhouse LLP We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements on Form S-8 (Nos. 333-17077, 333-17079 and 333-17083) of Quest Diagnostics Incorporated of our report dated January 23, 1998 appearing on page F-1 of this Form 10-K. /s/ Price Waterhouse LLP - ------------------------ Price Waterhouse LLP New York, New York March 20, 1998