Exhibit 99.1

LifePoint Hospitals Reports First Quarter Results and Announces Share
Repurchase Program

    BRENTWOOD, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 28, 2003--LifePoint
Hospitals, Inc. (NASDAQ:LPNT) today announced results for the first
quarter ended March 31, 2003. In addition, the Company announced the
adoption by its Board of Directors of a share repurchase program.
    For the quarter ended March 31, 2003, net revenues were $220.9
million, up 21.6% from $181.6 million a year ago. During the quarter
ended March 31, 2003, prior year contractual adjustments increased net
revenue by $2.9 million, or $0.04 per diluted share. Net income for
the quarter totaled $17.7 million, or $0.45 per diluted share, versus
$13.7 million, or $0.36 per diluted share in the prior-year period,
representing increases of 29.4% and 25.0%, respectively. Earnings
before interest, income taxes, depreciation, amortization, ESOP
expense, minority interest, and debt retirement costs (EBITDA)
increased 8.2% to $46.0 million for the quarter from $42.6 million in
the same period last year.
    Effective January 1, 2003, the Company adopted a new accounting
standard (SFAS No. 145) that addresses the classification of gains or
losses from early retirement of debt. During 2002, the Company
reported losses from the early retirement of debt as extraordinary
items, net of tax benefits, in the consolidated statement of income.
These losses were reclassified to comply with SFAS No. 145 by reducing
previously reported income before minority interest and income taxes
for the three months ended March 31, 2002, in the consolidated
statement of income. This reclassification had no impact on reported
net income.
    Kenneth C. Donahey, chairman and chief executive officer of
LifePoint Hospitals, said, "Despite pressure on admissions, resulting
in part from a weak flu season and weather-related issues, LifePoint
demonstrated the inherent strengths of its operating model. Helping to
partially compensate for these challenging issues was our emphasis on
fiscal discipline, cost controls and success in recruiting and
retaining physicians. We will continue to focus on investing in our
hospitals and the resultant expansion of services at these
facilities."
    The Company's Board of Directors has authorized the repurchase of
up to $100 million of LifePoint's outstanding shares of common stock
either in the open market or through privately negotiated
transactions, subject to market conditions, regulatory constraints and
other factors. The Company, which had approximately 39.6 million
shares of common stock outstanding as of March 31, 2003, is not
obligated to repurchase any specific number of shares under the
program. Based on the April 25, 2003, closing price, approximately 4.9
million shares, or 12% of the Company's shares outstanding, could be
repurchased for $100 million.
    The Company expects its purchases to be funded with a portion of
the Company's available cash and funds available under the Company's
Amended and Restated Credit Facility. The Company intends to seek
approvals under the credit facility, as necessary.
    In commenting on the share repurchase program, Mr. Donahey said,
"Given the current stock market environment and LifePoint's strong
balance sheet and cash flow, we believe that a share repurchase
program is a meaningful way to enhance stockholder value. At current
price levels, we feel LifePoint's stock is an attractive investment
and that the use of capital to reduce our outstanding share base is
consistent with our capital allocation strategies. We do not believe
this will impair our ability to invest in our existing facilities or
acquire hospitals in the future."
    In closing, Mr. Donahey added, "We are pleased with our progress
in assimilating recent acquisitions. Our track record for successfully
operating hospitals should contribute to our ability to accelerate the
integration process and contend with all the complexities. We continue
to be interested in acquisition opportunities, but we will always
maintain the utmost discipline in the selection process. We believe
the acquisition pipeline in 2003 will present a number of attractive
candidates for our consideration."
    A listen-only simulcast and replay of LifePoint Hospitals' first
quarter conference call will be available on-line at
www.lifepointhospitals.com and www.companyboardroom.com on April 29,
2003, beginning at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time.

    LifePoint Hospitals, Inc. operates 28 hospitals in non-urban
communities. 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 9,000
employees.

    This release includes 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 our future results are beyond our ability to control or
predict with accuracy. These statements are subject to various risks
and uncertainties, including, without limitation, (i) reduction in
payments to healthcare providers by government and commercial third
party payors, as well as cost-containment efforts of insurers and
other payors; (ii) the possibility of adverse changes in, and
requirements of, applicable laws, regulations, policies and
procedures, including those required by our corporate integrity
agreement; (iii) our ability to manage healthcare risks and the lack
of state and federal tort reform; (iv) uncertainty associated with
compliance with HIPAA regulations; (v) our ability to enter into and
renew payor arrangements on acceptable terms; (vi) our ability to
maintain and increase patient volumes and control costs; (vii) the
availability, cost and terms of insurance coverage; (viii) the highly
competitive nature of the healthcare business, including the
competition to recruit and retain physicians; (ix) the ability to
attract and retain qualified management and personnel; (x) the
geographic concentration of our operations; (xi) our ability to
acquire hospitals on favorable terms and to complete budgeted capital
improvements successfully; (xii) our ability to integrate newly
acquired facilities successfully; (xiii) the availability and terms of
capital to fund our business strategy; (xiv) changes in our liquidity
or indebtedness; (xv) the potential adverse impact of government
investigations and litigation involving the business practices of
healthcare providers; (xvi) successful development or license of
software and management information systems; (xvii) changes in
accounting policies or practices; (xviii) volatility in the market
value of our common stock; (xix) changes in general economic
conditions and changes in the manner in which employers provide
healthcare coverage to their employees; and (xx) those risk and
uncertainties described from time to time in our filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission. Therefore, our future results may
differ materially from those described in this release. We undertake
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 release refer to LifePoint Hospitals, Inc. and its affiliates.

                       LIFEPOINT HOSPITALS, INC.
               UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENTS
             Dollars in millions, except per share amounts

                                       For the Three Months Ended
                                               March 31,
                                         2003             2002
                                   ---------------   ----------------
                                    Amount   Ratio    Amount   Ratio
                                   -------  ------   -------  ------
Revenues (1)                        $220.9   100.0%   $181.6   100.0%

Salaries and benefits                 90.3    40.9%     70.7    39.0%
Supplies                              28.5    12.9%     22.9    12.6%
Other operating expenses              38.6    17.5%     32.2    17.7%
Provision for doubtful accounts       17.5     7.9%     13.2     7.3%
Depreciation and amortization         11.2     5.1%      9.4     5.2%
Interest expense, net                  3.3     1.5%      4.1     2.2%
Debt retirement costs                   --       -%      1.3     0.7%
ESOP expense                           1.6     0.7%      2.5     1.4%
                                   -------  ------   -------  ------
                                     191.0    86.5%    156.3    86.1%
                                   -------  ------   -------  ------


Income before minority
interest and income taxes             29.9    13.5%     25.3    13.9%
Minority interest in earnings
of consolidated entity                  --       -%      0.7     0.4%
                                   -------  ------   -------  ------

Income before income taxes            29.9    13.5%     24.6    13.5%
Provision for income taxes            12.2     5.5%     10.9     6.0%
                                   -------  ------   -------  ------

Net income                           $17.7     8.0%    $13.7     7.5%
                                   =======  ======   =======  ======


Earnings per share - basic           $0.47             $0.37
                                   =======           =======

Earnings per share - diluted         $0.45             $0.36
                                   =======           =======

Earnings Per Share Calculation:
Net income                           $17.7             $13.7
Add: Interest on convertible
notes, net of taxes                    1.9                --
                                   -------           -------
Adjusted net income                  $19.6             $13.7
                                   =======           =======

Weighted average number of
shares - basic (in thousands)       37,878            37,303
Add: Shares for conversion of
convertible notes (in thousands)     5,279                --
Other share equivalents
(in thousands)                         755             1,153
                                   -------           -------
Weighted average number of shares
 and equivalents - diluted
 (in thousands)                     43,912            38,456
                                   =======           =======

Earnings per share - diluted         $0.45             $0.36
                                   =======           =======

(1)  Prior year contractual adjustments increased revenues by $2.9
     million, or $0.04 per diluted share for the three months ended
     March 31, 2003.


                       LIFEPOINT HOSPITALS, INC.
                      CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                          Dollars in millions

                                                   March 31,  Dec. 31,
                                                      2003      2002
                                                    -------   -------
                                                  (Unaudited)    (1)
                                ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents                             $40.3     $23.0
Accounts receivable, less allowances for
doubtful accounts of $111.5 and $109.1 at
March 31, 2003 and December 31, 2002, respectively     97.8      85.0
Inventories                                            21.0      20.5
Deferred income taxes and other current assets         17.8      14.8
                                                    -------   -------
                                                      176.9     143.3
Property and equipment:
Land                                                   11.3      11.3
Buildings and improvements                            288.0     285.3
Equipment                                             299.9     295.5
Construction in progress                               26.5      18.1
                                                    -------   -------
                                                      625.7     610.2
Accumulated depreciation                             (247.7)   (238.0)
                                                    -------   -------
                                                      378.0     372.2

Deferred loan costs, net                                8.2       8.6
Unallocated purchase price                            134.0     136.1
Intangible assets, net                                  3.6       3.8
Other                                                    --       0.3
Goodwill                                               69.2      69.2
                                                    -------   -------

                                                     $769.9    $733.5
                                                    =======   =======

                        LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable                                      $28.4     $28.5
Accrued salaries                                       19.6      24.4
Other current liabilities                              32.7      14.3
Estimated third-party payor settlements                 9.6       8.2
                                                    -------   -------
                                                       90.3      75.4
Long-term debt                                        250.0     250.0
Deferred income taxes                                  25.6      24.9
Professional and general liability risks
and other liabilities                                  26.6      25.6

Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock                                          --        --
Common stock                                            0.4       0.4
Capital in excess of par value                        298.5     297.2
Unearned ESOP compensation                            (18.5)    (19.3)
Retained earnings                                      97.0      79.3
                                                    -------   -------
                                                      377.4     357.6
                                                    -------   -------
                                                     $769.9    $733.5
                                                    =======   =======

(1) Derived from audited financial statements.


                       LIFEPOINT HOSPITALS, INC.
            UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                          Dollars in millions

                                                   Three Months Ended
                                                         March 31,
                                                     2003       2002
                                                    -------   -------
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income                                            $17.7     $13.7
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net
cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization                          11.2       9.4
Debt retirement costs                                    --       1.3
ESOP expense                                            1.6       2.5
Minority interest in earnings of
consolidated entity                                      --       0.7
Deferred income taxes (benefit)                        (0.1)      0.4
Reserve for professional and general
liability risks, net                                    1.2       3.1
Tax benefit from stock option exercises                  --       0.7
Increase (decrease) in cash from
operating assets and liabilities, net of
effects from acquisitions:
Accounts receivable                                   (11.1)    (20.8)
Inventories and other current assets                   (2.8)     (1.4)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses                   2.4       1.5
Income taxes payable                                   11.8      12.0
Estimated third-party payor settlements                 1.4      11.3
Other                                                   0.9      (0.2)
                                                    -------   -------
Net cash provided by operating activities              34.2      34.2

Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment, net              (17.2)    (10.0)
Other                                                  (0.2)     (0.1)
                                                    -------   -------

Net cash used in investing activities                 (17.4)    (10.1)

Cash flows from financing activities:
Repurchase of senior subordinated notes                  --      (8.6)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options                 0.2       1.2
Other                                                   0.3      (0.1)
                                                    -------   -------
Net cash provided by (used in)
financing activities                                    0.5      (7.5)

Change in cash and cash equivalents                    17.3      16.6
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period       23.0      57.2
                                                    -------   -------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period            $40.3     $73.8
                                                    =======   =======

Interest payments                                      $0.2      $0.6
                                                    =======   =======

Income taxes paid (received), net                      $0.4     $(2.2)
                                                    =======   =======


                       LIFEPOINT HOSPITALS, INC.
                  UNAUDITED SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
                          Dollars in millions

                                      For the Three Months Ended
                                                March 31,
                                         2003              2002
                                   ---------------   ---------------
                                    Amount   Ratio    Amount   Ratio
                                   -------   -----   --------  -----
Revenues (1)                        $220.9   100.0%   $181.6   100.0%

Salaries and benefits                 90.3    40.9%     70.7    39.0%
Supplies                              28.5    12.9%     22.9    12.6%
Other operating expenses              38.6    17.5%     32.2    17.7%
Provision for doubtful accounts       17.5     7.9%     13.2     7.3%
                                   -------  ------   -------  ------
                                     174.9    79.2%    139.0    76.6%
                                   -------  ------   -------  ------
EBITDA (2)                           $46.0    20.8%    $42.6    23.4%
                                   =======  ======   =======  ======

(1)  Prior year contractual adjustments increased revenues by $2.9
     million, or $0.04 per diluted share for the three months ended
     March 31, 2003.

(2)  EBITDA is defined as income before depreciation and amortization,
     interest expense, debt retirement costs, ESOP expense, minority
     interest in earnings of consolidated entity, and income taxes.
     Our management uses EBITDA to evaluate our operating performance
     and as a measure of performance for incentive compensation
     purposes. We believe EBITDA is a measure of performance used by
     some investors, equity analysts and others to make informed
     investment decisions. In addition, multiples of current or
     projected EBITDA are used to estimate current or prospective
     enterprise value. EBITDA should not be considered as a measure of
     financial performance under accounting principles generally
     accepted in the United States and the items excluded from EBITDA
     are significant components in understanding and assessing
     financial performance. EBITDA should not be considered in
     isolation or as an alternative to net income, cash flows
     generated by operating, investing or financing activities or
     other financial statement data presented in the consolidated
     financial statements as an indicator of financial performance or
     liquidity. Because EBITDA is not a measurement determined in
     accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the
     United States and is susceptible to varying calculations, EBITDA
     as presented may not be comparable to other similarly titled
     measures of other companies.


The following table reconciles EBITDA as presented above to net income
as reflected in LifePoint's consolidated statements of income and in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (in
millions):

                                                   Three Months Ended
                                                         March 31,
                                                     2003       2002
                                                    -------   -------
EBITDA                                                $46.0     $42.6

Depreciation and amortization                         (11.2)     (9.4)
Interest expense, net                                  (3.3)     (4.1)
Debt retirement costs                                    --      (1.3)
ESOP expense                                           (1.6)     (2.5)
Minority interest in earnings
 of consolidated entity                                  --      (0.7)
Provision for income taxes                            (12.2)    (10.9)
                                                    -------   -------
Net income                                            $17.7     $13.7
                                                    =======   =======

                       LIFEPOINT HOSPITALS, INC.
                         UNAUDITED STATISTICS

                                           Three Months Ended
                                                  March 31,
                                         2003       2002     % Change
                                         ----       ----     --------
Actual:
Number of hospitals at end of period        28         23      21.7%
Licensed beds at end of period           2,624      2,197      19.4%
Weighted average licensed beds           2,619      2,197      19.2%
Average daily census                     1,055        935      12.8%
Average length of stay                     4.0        4.1      (2.4%)

Revenues ($ in millions)                $220.9     $181.6      21.6%
Revenues per equivalent admission       $4,919     $4,832       1.8%
Equivalent admissions (1)               44,912     37,588      19.5%
Outpatient factor (1)                     1.91       1.83       4.5%
Outpatient surgeries                    18,859     16,166      16.7%
Inpatient surgeries                      6,663      5,652      17.9%
Emergency room visits                   99,738     84,987      17.4%
Admissions                              23,477     20,551      14.2%

Net outpatient revenues as
a percentage of net revenues              50.2%      47.7%      N/A

Same-Hospital: (2)
Number of hospitals at end of period        23         23         -%
Licensed beds at end of period           2,203      2,197       0.3%
Weighted average licensed beds           2,198      2,197         -%
Average daily census                       890        935      (4.8%)
Average length of stay                     4.1        4.1         -%

Revenues ($ in millions)                $186.2     $181.6       2.5%
Revenues per equivalent admission       $5,039     $4,832       4.3%
Equivalent admissions (1)               36,951     37,588      (1.7%)
Outpatient factor (1)                     1.90       1.83       3.6%
Outpatient surgeries                    15,910     16,166      (1.6%)
Inpatient surgeries                      5,659      5,652       0.1%
Emergency room visits                   84,492     84,987      (0.6%)
Admissions                              19,489     20,551      (5.2%)

Net outpatient revenues as a
percentage of net revenues                49.8%      47.7%       N/A

(1) Equivalent  admissions  is used by  management  and investors as a
    general  measure of  combined  inpatient  and  outpatient  volume.
    Equivalent  admissions  is  computed  by  multiplying   admissions
    (inpatient  volumes)  by the sum of gross  inpatient  revenue  and
    gross outpatient revenue and then dividing the resulting amount by
    gross inpatient  revenue.  The equivalent  admissions  computation
    "equates"  outpatient  revenue to the volume measure  (admissions)
    used to measure inpatient volume resulting in a general measure of
    combined inpatient and outpatient volume.

(2) Same-hospital  information  excludes the  operations  of hospitals
    that the Company acquired during the periods presented.  The costs
    of corporate overhead are included in same-hospital information.

    CONTACT: LifePoint Hospitals, Inc., Brentwood
             Michael J. Culotta, 615/372-8512
             www.lifepointhospitals.com