UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              Washington, DC 20549

                                  -------------

                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT
                     Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
                         Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):  February 6, 2006
                                                   (February 6, 2006)

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                            LIFEPOINT HOSPITALS, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


           Delaware                      0-51251                 20-1538254
 (State or Other Jurisdiction          (Commission             (IRS Employer
      of Incorporation)                File Number)          Identification No.)


              103 Powell Court, Suite 200
                  Brentwood, Tennessee                      37027
         (Address of principal executive offices)         (Zip Code)

                                 (615) 372-8500
              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

                                 Not applicable
          (Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to
simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the
following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

o    Written communication pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR
     230.425)

o    Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
     240.14a-12)

o    Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the
     Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

o    Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the
     Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

                                Page 1 of 4 pages

                         Exhibit Index located on Page 4



Item 2.02. Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

           On February 6, 2006, LifePoint Hospitals, Inc. (the "Company") issued
           a press release announcing results for the fourth quarter and year
           ended December 31, 2005. See the press release attached as Exhibit
           99.1.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

           (a) Financial statements of businesses acquired.

                None required

           (b) Pro forma financial information.

                None required

           (c) Shell company transactions.

                None required

           (d) Exhibits.

                99.1  Copy of press release issued by the Company on February 6,
                      2006.

                                Page 2 of 4 pages



                                   SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

Date: February 6, 2006                         LIFEPOINT HOSPITALS, INC.

                                               By: /s/ Michael J. Culotta
                                                   -----------------------------

                                                   Michael J. Culotta
                                                   Chief Financial Officer

                                Page 3 of 4 pages



                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit
Number          Description
- -------         ----------------------------------------------------------------

99.1            Copy of press release issued by the Company on February 6, 2006

                                Page 4 of 4 pages