UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

[X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2004 OR

[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from              to
                              --------------  --------------

Commission file number 1-11353

LABORATORY CORPORATION OF AMERICA HOLDINGS
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

             DELAWARE                         13-3757370
-------------------------------            -------------------
(State or other jurisdiction of            (IRS Employer
incorporation or organization)             Identification No.)

   358 SOUTH MAIN STREET, BURLINGTON, NORTH CAROLINA     27215
----------------------------------------------------   ----------
 (Address of principal executive offices)              (Zip code)

                            (336) 229-1127
          ----------------------------------------------------
          (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes X No Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. Yes X No The number of shares outstanding of the issuer's common stock is 139,646,910 shares, net of treasury stock as of July 30, 2004.

                                INDEX


          PART I. Financial Information

Item 1  Financial Statements:

        Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited)
        June 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003

        Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited)
        Six and three months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003

        Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in
        Shareholders' Equity (unaudited)
        Six months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003

        Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
        (unaudited) Six months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003

        Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

Item 2  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
        Condition and Results of Operations

Item 3  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about
        Market Risk

Item 4  Controls and Procedures


        PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1  Legal Proceedings

Item 2  Changes in Securities, Use of Proceeds and Issuer
        Purchases of Equity Securities

Item 4  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

Item 6  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K


PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Information

LABORATORY CORPORATION OF AMERICA HOLDINGS AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)

(Unaudited)

                                               June 30,         December 31,
                                                 2004               2003
                                              ----------        ------------
ASSETS
Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents                   $   182.2           $   123.0
  Accounts receivable, net                        452.5               432.5
  Supplies inventories                             47.8                47.0
  Prepaid expenses and other                       25.3                36.3
  Deferred income taxes                            13.0                19.1
                                               --------            --------
Total current assets                              720.8               657.9

Property, plant and equipment, net                356.0               361.3
Goodwill                                        1,305.9             1,285.9
Intangible assets, net                            567.0               571.4
Investments in equity affiliates                  493.6               505.3
Other assets, net                                  31.6                33.1
                                               --------            --------
                                              $ 3,474.9           $ 3,414.9
                                               ========            ========
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
  Accounts payable                            $    78.5           $    73.0
  Accrued expenses and other                      185.6               161.1
  Zero coupon-subordinated notes                  528.4               523.2
  Current portion of long-term debt                 0.2                 0.3
                                               --------            --------
Total current liabilities                         792.7               757.6

5 1/2% senior notes                               353.6               353.8
Long-term debt, less current portion                2.2                 2.5
Capital lease obligations                           3.7                 4.4
Deferred income taxes                             283.7               273.4
Other liabilities                                 117.1               127.3

Commitments and contingencies

Shareholders' equity:
  Preferred stock, $0.10 par value; 30,000,000
    shares authorized; shares issued: none           --                  --
  Common stock, $0.10 par value; 265,000,000
    shares authorized;149,822,486 and
    148,855,110 shares issued and outstanding
    at June 30, 2004 and December 31,
    2003, respectively                             15.0                14.9
  Additional paid-in capital                    1,470.1             1,440.9
  Retained earnings                               772.7               587.1
  Treasury stock, at cost; 10,289,653 shares
    and 5,521,620 shares at June 30, 2004 and
    December 31, 2003, respectively              (348.1)             (159.3)
  Unearned restricted stock compensation          (13.5)              (22.4)
  Accumulated other comprehensive loss             25.7                34.7
                                               --------            --------
   Total shareholders' equity                   1,921.9             1,895.9
                                               --------            --------
                                              $ 3,474.9           $ 3,414.9
                                               ========            ========

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.


LABORATORY CORPORATION OF AMERICA HOLDINGS AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)

(Unaudited)

                               Three Months Ended       Six Months Ended
                                     June 30,               June 30,
                             ---------------------    ---------------------
                                2004        2003        2004         2003
                             ---------------------    ---------------------

Net sales                    $  784.3     $  743.7    $ 1,536.8   $ 1,455.9

Cost of sales                   444.6        427.2        879.5       842.9
                             --------     --------     --------    --------
Gross profit                    339.7        316.5        657.3       613.0

Selling, general and
  administrative expenses       165.0        164.1        328.0       327.4

Amortization of intangibles
  and other assets               10.5          9.5         20.8        18.0
                             --------     --------     --------    --------
Operating income                164.2        142.9        308.5       267.6

Other income (expenses):
  Interest expense               (9.3)       (10.0)       (18.6)      (21.4)
  Income from equity
    investments, net             12.1         11.3         24.7        21.1
  Investment income               0.4          2.4          0.9         4.7
  Other, net                     (0.8)        (0.2)        (0.9)       (0.3)
                             --------     --------     --------    --------
Earnings before income taxes    166.6        146.4        314.6       271.7

Provision for income taxes       68.3         60.0        129.0       111.4
                             --------     --------     --------    --------
Net earnings                 $   98.3     $   86.4     $  185.6    $  160.3
                             ========     ========     ========    ========
Basic earnings per
  common share               $    0.70    $    0.60    $    1.32   $    1.10

Diluted earnings per
  common share               $    0.70    $    0.60    $    1.30   $    1.10

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.


LABORATORY CORPORATION OF AMERICA HOLDINGS AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
(DOLLARS AND SHARES IN MILLIONS)

(Unaudited)

                                                  Additional
                                 Common Stock       Paid-in       Retained
                                Shares  Amount      Capital       Earnings
                                --------------     --------       --------
PERIOD ENDED JUNE 30, 2003
Balance at beginning of year     147.8  $ 14.8     $1,406.5        $ 266.1
Comprehensive earnings:
  Net earnings                      --      --           --          160.3
  Other comprehensive loss:
   Foreign currency translation
     adjustments                    --      --           --             --
Comprehensive earnings
Issuance of common stock           0.3      --          5.9             --
Issuance of restricted stock
  awards                            --      --          0.2             --
Amortization of unearned
  restricted stock compensation     --      --           --             --
Income tax benefit from stock
  options exercised                 --      --          2.7             --
Assumption of vested stock
  options in connection with
  acquisition                       --      --          8.5             --
Surrender of restricted stock
  awards                            --      --         (1.0)            --
Purchase of common stock            --      --           --             --
                                 -----   -----      -------         ------
BALANCE AT JUNE 30, 2003         148.1  $ 14.8     $1,422.8        $ 426.4
                                 =====   =====      =======         ======

PERIOD ENDED JUNE 30, 2004
Balance at beginning of year     148.9  $ 14.9     $1,440.9        $ 587.1
Comprehensive earnings:
  Net earnings                      --      --           --          185.6
  Other comprehensive loss:
   Foreign currency translation
     adjustments                    --      --           --             --
   Tax effect of other
     comprehensive loss
     adjustments                    --      --           --             --
Comprehensive earnings
Issuance of common stock           0.9     0.1         22.9             --
Issuance of restricted stock
  awards                            --      --          0.7             --
Amortization of unearned
  restricted stock compensation     --      --           --             --
Income tax benefit from stock
  options exercised                 --      --          5.7             --
Surrender of restricted stock
  awards                            --      --         (0.1)            --
Purchase of common stock            --      --           --             --
                                 -----   -----      -------        -------
BALANCE AT JUNE 30, 2004         149.8  $ 15.0     $1,470.1       $  772.7
                                 =====   =====      =======        =======

                                    (continued)


LABORATORY CORPORATION OF AMERICA HOLDINGS AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (CONTINUED)
(DOLLARS AND SHARES IN MILLIONS)

(Unaudited)

                                        Unearned    Accumulated
                                       Restricted      Other         Total
                              Treasury    Stock    Comprehensive Shareholders'
                               Stock   Compensation      Loss        Equity
                              -------- ------------ ------------- -------------
PERIOD ENDED JUNE 30, 2003
Balance at beginning of year  $ (4.4)  $ (41.4)     $  (29.9)      $1,611.7
Comprehensive earnings:
  Net earnings                    --        --            --          160.3
  Other comprehensive loss:
   Foreign currency
     translation adjustments      --        --          71.3           71.3
   Tax effect of other
     comprehensive loss
     adjustments                  --        --         (28.6)         (28.6)
Comprehensive earnings                                                 203.0
Issuance of common stock          --        --            --            5.9
Issuance of restricted stock
  awards                          --      (0.2)           --             --
Amortization of unearned
  restricted stock compensation   --       8.6            --            8.6
Income tax benefit from stock
  options exercised               --        --            --            2.7
Assumption of vested stock
  options in connection with
  acquisition                     --        --            --            8.5
Surrender of restricted stock
  awards                        (4.8)      1.0            --           (4.8)
Purchase of common stock       (86.4)       --            --          (86.4)
                              ------    ------       -------        -------
BALANCE AT JUNE 30, 2003     $ (95.6)  $ (32.0)     $   12.8       $1,749.2
                              ======    ======       =======        =======

PERIOD ENDED JUNE 30, 2004
Balance at beginning of year $(159.3)  $ (22.4)     $   34.7       $1,895.9
Comprehensive earnings:
  Net earnings                    --        --            --          185.6
  Other comprehensive loss:
   Foreign currency
     translation adjustments      --        --         (15.1)         (15.1)
   Tax effect of other
     comprehensive loss
     adjustments                  --        --           6.1            6.1
Comprehensive earnings                                                 176.6
Issuance of common stock          --        --            --           23.0
Issuance of restricted stock
  awards                          --      (0.7)           --             --
Amortization of unearned
  restricted stock compensation   --       9.5            --            9.5
Income tax benefit from stock
  options exercised               --        --            --            5.7
Surrender of restricted stock
  awards                        (6.7)      0.1            --           (6.7)
Purchase of common stock      (182.1)       --            --         (182.1)
                              ------   -------       -------        -------
BALANCE AT JUNE 30, 2004     $(348.1) $  (13.5)     $   25.7       $1,921.9
                              ======   =======       =======        =======

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.


LABORATORY CORPORATION OF AMERICA HOLDINGS AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)

(Unaudited)

                                                   Six Months Ended
                                                        June 30,
                                              -------------------------
                                                 2004            2003
                                              -------------------------
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

Net earnings                                  $  185.6         $ 160.3

  Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to
   net cash provided by operating activities:
      Depreciation and amortization               69.6            66.7
      Stock compensation                           9.5             8.6
      (Gain) loss on sale of assets                0.5            (0.1)
      Accreted interest on zero coupon-
        subordinated notes                         5.2             5.1
      Deferred income taxes                       23.8            15.0
      Change in assets and liabilities (net of
        effects of acquisitions):
        Increase in accounts receivable, net     (19.9)          (18.0)
        Increase in inventories                   (0.1)           (2.4)
        Decrease in prepaid expenses and other    11.0             3.6
        Increase(decrease) in accounts payable     5.5            (5.7)
        Increase in accrued expenses and other
          expenses and other                       3.6            25.1
                                               -------         -------
  Net cash provided by operating activities      294.3           258.2
                                               -------         -------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

  Capital expenditures                           (42.6)          (37.4)
  Proceeds from sale of assets                     1.3             0.6
  Deferred payments on acquisitions               (3.8)           (6.3)
  Proceeds from sale of marketable securities       --            50.4
  Distributions from equity affiliates in
    excess of cumulative earnings                   --             1.6
  Acquisition of licensing technology             (0.5)             --
  Acquisition of businesses, net of
    cash acquired                                (34.6)         (636.0)
                                               -------         -------
  Net cash used for investing activities         (80.2)         (627.1)
                                               -------         -------

                                 (continued)


LABORATORY CORPORATION OF AMERICA HOLDINGS AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (CONTINUED)
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)

                                 (Unaudited)
                                                   Six Months Ended
                                                        June 30,
                                              --------------------------
                                                 2004            2003
                                              --------------------------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

  Proceeds from bridge loan                   $     --        $  350.0
  Payments on bridge loan                           --          (350.0)
  Proceeds from revolving credit
   facilities                                       --           265.0
  Payments on revolving credit
   facilities                                       --          (180.0)
  Proceeds from senior note offering                --           350.0
  Payments on other long-term debt                (0.4)           (0.4)
  Termination of interest rate swap
   agreements                                       --             5.3
  Debt issuance costs                               --            (7.3)
  Payments on long-term lease obligations         (0.7)           (0.7)
  Purchase of common stock                      (176.2)          (91.2)
  Net proceeds from issuance of stock to
   employees                                      23.0             5.8
                                               -------         -------
  Net cash (used)provided by financing
   activities                                   (154.3)          346.5
                                               -------         -------
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
 and cash equivalents                             (0.6)           (0.1)
                                               -------         -------
 Net (decrease) increase in cash and
   cash equivalents                               59.2           (22.5)
 Cash and cash equivalents at
   beginning of period                           123.0            56.4
                                               -------         -------
 Cash and cash equivalents at
   end of period                              $  182.2        $   33.9
                                               =======         =======
Supplemental schedule of cash
  flow information:
  Cash paid during the period for:
     Interest                                 $   9.6         $    2.9
     Income taxes, net of refunds                56.5             70.8


Disclosure of non-cash financing
  and investing activities:

Issuance of restricted stock awards               0.7              0.2
Surrender of restricted stock awards              6.7              4.8
Assumption of vested stock options                 --              8.5
Accrued repurchases of common stock               5.9               --

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.


LABORATORY CORPORATION OF AMERICA HOLDINGS AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)

1. BASIS OF FINANCIAL STATEMENT PRESENTATION

The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings and its wholly owned subsidiaries (the "Company") after elimination of all material intercompany accounts and transactions. On January 17, 2003, the Company completed the acquisition of DIANON Systems, Inc., (DIANON) a leading U.S. provider of anatomic pathology and oncology testing services. Disclosure of certain business combination transactions is included in Note 7 - Business Acquisition. The Company operates in one business segment.

The financial statements of the Company's foreign subsidiaries are measured using the local currency as the functional currency. Assets and liabilities are translated at exchange rates as of the balance sheet date. Revenues and expenses are translated at average monthly exchange rates prevailing during the period. Resulting translation adjustments are included in "Accumulated other comprehensive earnings(loss)".

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company are unaudited. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (which include only normal recurring accruals) necessary for a fair presentation of such financial statements have been included. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year.

The financial statements and notes are presented in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and do not contain certain information included in the Company's 2003 annual report on Form 10-K. Therefore, the interim statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto contained in the Company's annual report.

2. EARNINGS PER SHARE

Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net earnings by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Dilutive earnings per share is computed by dividing net earnings by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding plus potentially dilutive shares, as if they had been issued at the beginning of the period presented. Potentially dilutive common shares result primarily from the Company's restricted stock awards and outstanding stock options.


LABORATORY CORPORATION OF AMERICA HOLDINGS AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)

The following represents a reconciliation of the weighted average shares used in the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share:

                              Three Months              Six Months
                              Ended June 30,           Ended June 30,
                         ------------------------  ----------------------
                           2004          2003        2004          2003
                         ------------------------  ------------------------
Basic                    140,053,538  144,562,713  140,923,330  145,222,214
Assumed conversion/
 exercise of:
  Stock options              775,912      485,967      803,187      381,169
  Restricted stock awards    444,263           --      609,980      103,769
                         -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
Diluted                  141,273,713  145,048,680  142,336,497  145,707,152
                         ===========  ===========  ===========  ===========

The following table summarizes the potential common shares not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because their impact would have been antidilutive:

June 30,
2004 2003

Stock Options 1,492,611 4,432,902

The Company's zero coupon-subordinated notes are contingently convertible into 9,977,634 shares of common stock and are not currently included in the diluted earnings per share calculation because these notes were not convertible according to their terms at June 30, 2004. Holders of the zero coupon- subordinated notes may require the Company to purchase all or a portion of their notes on September 11, 2004, 2006 and 2011 at prices ranging from $712.97 to $819.54 per note. The Company may choose to pay the purchase price in cash or common stock or a combination of cash and common stock. If the holders elect to require the Company to purchase their notes, it is the Company's current intention to retire the notes by a cash payment. However, future market conditions are subject to change. Should the holders put the notes to the Company on any of the dates above, the Company believes that it will be able to satisfy this contingent obligation with cash on hand, borrowings on the revolving credit facility, and additional financing if necessary.

3. STOCK COMPENSATION PLANS

During February 2004, the Company granted 1,738,800 options at a price of $39.00 under its 2000 Stock Incentive Plan.

During March 2004, the Company recorded aggregate awards of 11,329 shares of restricted stock at a weighted average price of $35.29 to one of the principals in the Company's research and development joint venture and a non-employee director under its 2000 Stock Incentive Plan.


LABORATORY CORPORATION OF AMERICA HOLDINGS AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)

During May 2004, the Company made awards of 7,728 shares of restricted stock and 11,904 options to its non-employee directors at a price of $38.80 under its 2000 Stock Incentive Plan.

The tax benefits associated with the exercise of non-qualified stock options reduced taxes currently payable by $5.7 and $2.7 for the six months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively. Such benefits are credited to additional paid-in-capital.

The Company applies the provisions of APB Opinion No. 25 in accounting for its employee stock option and stock purchase plans and, accordingly, no compensation cost has been recognized for these plans in the financial statements. Had the Company determined compensation cost for these two plans based on the fair value method as defined in SFAS No. 123, the impact on the Company's net earnings on a pro forma basis is indicated below:

                                   Three Months Ended  Six Months Ended
                                        June 30,          June 30,
                                   ------------------  ----------------
                                      2004    2003      2004    2003
                                   ------------------  ----------------
Net earnings, as reported           $ 98.3  $ 86.4     $185.6  $160.3
   Add: Restricted stock-based
    compensation Under APB 25          3.0     4.1        9.5     8.6
   Deduct: Total stock-based
    compensation expense determined
    under the fair value method for
    all awards, net of related tax
    effects                           (9.1)  (10.7)     (21.7)  (21.7)
                                     -----   -----      -----   -----
Pro forma net income                $ 92.2  $ 79.8     $173.4  $147.2
                                     =====   =====      =====   =====
Basic earnings per
  common share    As reported          0.70    0.60       1.32    1.10
                  Pro forma            0.66    0.55       1.23    1.01

Diluted earnings per
  common share    As reported          0.70    0.60       1.30    1.10
                  Pro forma            0.65    0.55       1.22    1.01

4. STOCK REPURCHASE PROGRAM

On December 17, 2003, the Company's Board of Directors authorized a stock repurchase program under which the Company may purchase up to an aggregate of $250.0 of its common stock from time- to-time, beginning in the first quarter of 2004. During the first six months of 2004, the Company purchased approximately 4.6 million shares of its common stock totaling $182.1 with cash flow from operations. It is the Company's intention to fund future purchases of its common stock with cash flow from operations.

5. SENIOR CREDIT FACILITIES

On January 13, 2004, the Company entered into a new $150.0 364- day revolving credit facility with Credit Suisse First Boston, acting as Administrative Agent, and a group of financial institutions to replace the existing $150.0 364-day revolving credit facility, which had terminated. The $200.0 three-year revolving


LABORATORY CORPORATION OF AMERICA HOLDINGS AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)

credit facility was amended on January 14, 2003 and expires on February 18, 2005. These credit facilities bear interest at varying rates based upon the Company's credit rating with Standard & Poor's Ratings Services. There were no balances outstanding on the Company's senior credit facilities at June 30, 2004.

The senior credit facilities are available for general corporate purposes, including working capital, capital expenditures, funding of share repurchases and other payments, and acquisitions. The agreements contain certain debt covenants which require that the Company maintain leverage and interest coverage ratios of 2.5 to 1.0 and 5.0 to 1.0, respectively. Both ratios are calculated in relation to EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization). The covenants also limit the payment of dividends. The Company is in compliance with all covenants at June 30, 2004.

6. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Interest rate swap agreements, which have been used by the Company from time to time in the management of interest rate exposure, are accounted for at fair value. Amounts to be paid or received under such agreements are recognized as interest income or expense in the periods in which they accrue.

The Company's zero coupon-subordinated notes contain the following three features that are considered to be embedded derivative instruments under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 133 "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities":

1) The Company will pay contingent cash interest on the zero coupon subordinated notes after September 11, 2006, if the average market price of the notes equals 120% or more of the sum of the issue price, accrued original issue discount and contingent additional principal, if any, for a specified measurement period.
2) Contingent additional principal will accrue on the zero coupon-subordinated notes during the two-year period from September 11, 2004 to September 11, 2006, if the Company's stock price is at or below specified thresholds.
3) Holders may surrender zero coupon-subordinated notes for conversion during any period in which the rating assigned to the zero coupon-subordinated notes by Standard & Poor's Ratings Services is BB- or lower.

Based upon independent appraisals, these embedded derivatives had no fair market value at June 30, 2004 and 2003.

7. BUSINESS ACQUISITION - DIANON SYSTEMS, INC.

On January 17, 2003, the Company completed the acquisition of all of the outstanding shares of DIANON Systems, Inc. (DIANON) for $47.50 per share in cash, or approximately $595.6 including transaction fees and expenses, and converted approximately 390,000 vested DIANON employee stock options into approximately 690,000 vested Company options valued at $8.5. The transaction total of


LABORATORY CORPORATION OF AMERICA HOLDINGS AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)

approximately $604.5 was funded by a combination of cash on hand, borrowings under the Company's senior credit facilities and a bridge loan facility.

The following unaudited pro forma combined financial information for the six months ended June 30, 2003 assumes that the DIANON acquisition, which was closed by the Company on January 17, 2003, was acquired on January 1, 2003:

                                                   Six Months Ended
                                                    June 30, 2003
                                                   ----------------
Net sales                                              $1,463.9
Net earnings                                              160.4

Diluted earnings
   per common share                                    $   1.10

8. GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill (net of accumulated amortization) for the six-month period ended June 30, 2004 and for the year ended December 31, 2003 are as follows:

                                 June 30, 2004     December 31, 2003
                                 -------------     -----------------
Balance as of January 1           $ 1,285.9           $   910.1
Goodwill acquired during
   the period                          18.8               388.7
Adjustments to goodwill                 1.2               (12.9)
                                   --------            --------
Balance at end of period          $ 1,305.9           $ 1,285.9
                                   ========            ========

The components of identifiable intangible assets are as follows:

                         June 30, 2004            December 31, 2003
                    -----------------------   -----------------------
                     Gross                     Gross
                    Carrying   Accumulated    Carrying   Accumulated
                     Amount    Amortization    Amount    Amortization
                    -----------------------   -----------------------
Customer lists      $  596.1    $  132.8      $  582.5    $  118.1
Patents, licenses
  and technology        67.7        14.5          67.2        11.1
Non-compete
  agreements            25.4        19.2          23.0        18.1
Trade name              49.5         5.2          49.6         3.6
                     -------     -------       -------     -------
                    $  738.7    $  171.7      $  722.3    $  150.9
                     =======     =======       =======     =======

Amortization of intangible assets for the six month and three month periods ended June 30, 2004 was $20.8 and $10.5, respectively, and $18.0 and $9.5 for the six month and three month periods ended June 30, 2003. Amortization expense for the net carrying amount of intangible assets is estimated to be $21.0 for the remainder of fiscal 2004, $42.3 in fiscal 2005, $40.9 in fiscal 2006, $39.4 in fiscal 2007, and $37.2 in fiscal 2008.


LABORATORY CORPORATION OF AMERICA HOLDINGS AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)

9. RESTRUCTURING RESERVES

The following represents the Company's restructuring activities for the period indicated:

                                                Lease and
                                 Severance   Other Facility
                                  Costs          Costs           Total
                                 ---------   --------------    --------
Balance at December 31, 2003       $ 4.0           $26.8          $30.8
  Cash payments                     (1.3)           (2.9)          (4.2)
  Reclassifications non-cash items    --            (1.7)          (1.7)
  Acquisition integration            1.2             2.7            3.9
                                    ----            ----           ----
Balance at June 30, 2004           $ 3.9           $24.9          $28.8
                                    ====            ====           ====

Current                                                           $14.3
Non-current                                                        14.5
                                                                   ----
                                                                  $28.8
                                                                   ====

10. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

The Company is involved in litigation purporting to be a nation-wide class action involving the alleged overbilling of patients who are covered by private insurance. The Company has reached a settlement with the class that will not materially differ from accruals previously established or have a material adverse effect on the Company. The Company has now substantially implemented its obligations under the settlement. On January 9, 2001, the Company was served with a complaint in North Carolina which purported to be a class action and made claims similar to those referred to above. That claim has now been dismissed with prejudice.

On June 24, 2003, the Company and certain of its executive officers were sued in the United States District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina in the first of a series of putative shareholder class actions alleging securities fraud. Since that date, at least five other complaints containing substantially identical allegations have been filed against the Company and certain of the Company's executive officers. Each of the complaints alleges that the defendants violated the federal securities laws by making material misstatements and/or omissions that caused the price of the Company's stock to be artificially inflated between February 13 and October 3, 2002. The plaintiffs seek certification of a class of substantially all persons who purchased shares of the Company's stock during that time period and unspecified monetary damages. These six cases have been consolidated and will proceed as a single case. The defendants deny any liability and intend to defend the case vigorously. The plaintiffs have recently filed a consolidated amended complaint. On July 16, 2004, the defendants filed a motion to dismiss this complaint and continue to defend the case vigorously. At this time, it is premature to make any assessment of the potential outcome of the cases or whether they could have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition.

The Company is the appellant in a patent case originally filed in the United States District Court for the District of Colorado.


LABORATORY CORPORATION OF AMERICA HOLDINGS AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)

The Company has disputed liability and contested the case vigorously. After a jury trial, the district court entered judgment against the Company for patent infringement, with total damages and attorneys fees payable by the Company of approximately $7.8 million. The Company appealed the case to the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. On June 8, 2004, that Court affirmed the judgment against the Company. On June 22, 2004 the Company filed a request for rehearing of the decision. The Company plans to continue to vigorously contest the Judgment until it exhausts all reasonable appellate rights. The Company has recorded a reserve for this potential settlement.

The Company is a party to two lawsuits involving Chiron Inc. relating to Hepatitis C and HIV testing. Chiron asserts that the Company has infringed on Chiron's patents in each of these areas. The Company denies liability and intends to contest the suits vigorously. It is premature at this juncture to assess the likely outcome of these matters, or to determine whether they will have a material effect on the Company.

The Company is also involved in various claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business. These matters include, but are not limited to, intellectual property disputes, professional liability, employee related matters, and inquiries from governmental agencies and Medicare or Medicaid payors and managed care payors requesting comment on allegations of billing irregularities that are brought to their attention through billing audits or third parties. In the opinion of management, based upon the advice of counsel and consideration of all facts available at this time, the ultimate disposition of these matters is not expected to have a material adverse effect on the financial position, results of operations or liquidity of the Company. The Company is also named from time to time in suits brought under the qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act. These suits typically allege that the Company has made false statements and/or certifications in connection with claims for payment from federal health care programs. They may remain under seal (hence, unknown to the Company) for some time while the government decides whether to intervene on behalf of the qui tam plaintiff. Such claims are an inevitable part of doing business in the health care field today and, in the opinion of management, based upon the advice of counsel and consideration of all facts available at this time, the ultimate disposition of those qui tam matters presently known to the Company is not expected to have a material adverse effect on the financial position, results of operations or liquidity of the Company.

The Company believes that it is in compliance in all material respects with all statutes, regulations and other requirements applicable to its clinical laboratory operations. The clinical laboratory testing industry is, however, subject to extensive regulation, and many of these statutes and regulations have not been interpreted by the courts. There can be no assurance therefore that applicable statutes and regulations might not be interpreted or applied by a prosecutorial, regulatory or judicial authority in a manner that would adversely affect the Company. Potential sanctions for violation of these statutes and regulations include significant


LABORATORY CORPORATION OF AMERICA HOLDINGS AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)

fines and the loss of various licenses, certificates and authorizations.

Under the Company's present insurance programs, coverage is obtained for catastrophic exposures as well as those risks required to be insured by law or contract. The Company is responsible for the uninsured portion of losses related primarily to general, professional and vehicle liability, certain medical costs and workers' compensation. The self-insured retentions are on a per occurrence basis without any aggregate annual limit. Provisions for losses expected under these programs are recorded based upon the Company's estimates of the aggregated liability of claims incurred. At June 30, 2004 and 2003, the Company had provided letters of credit aggregating approximately $52.9 and $46.1 respectively, primarily in connection with certain insurance programs.

11. PENSION AND POSTRETIREMENT PLANS

Substantially all employees of the Company are covered by a defined benefit retirement plan (the "Company Plan"). The benefits to be paid under the Company Plan are based on years of credited service and average final compensation. The Company's policy is to fund the Company Plan with at least the minimum amount required by applicable regulations.

The Company has a second defined benefit plan which covers its senior management group that provides for the payment of the difference, if any, between the amount of any maximum limitation on annual benefit payments under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and the annual benefit that would be payable under the Company Plan but for such limitation. This plan is an unfunded plan.

The components of net periodic pension cost for both of the defined benefit plans are summarized as follows:

                                         Three Months         Six Months
                                        Ended June 30,       Ended June 30,
                                      -----------------    -----------------
                                        2004      2003       2004      2003
                                      -----------------    -----------------
Components of net periodic
  benefit cost
Service Cost                          $  3.6    $  3.1     $  6.8    $  6.2
Interest Cost                            3.2       3.2        6.3       6.4
Expected return on plan assets          (4.2)     (3.2)      (7.9)     (6.4)
Net amortization and deferral            0.4       0.9        0.8       1.8
                                       -----     -----      -----     -----
Net periodic pension cost             $  3.0    $  4.0     $  6.0    $  8.0
                                       =====     =====      =====     =====


LABORATORY CORPORATION OF AMERICA HOLDINGS AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)

The Company assumed obligations under a subsidiary's postretirement medical plan. Coverage under this plan is restricted to a limited number of existing employees of the subsidiary. This plan is unfunded and the Company's policy is to fund benefits as claims are incurred. The components of postretirement benefit expense are as follows:

                                         Three Months         Six Months
                                        Ended June 30,       Ended June 30,
                                       ---------------      ----------------
                                        2004      2003       2004      2003
                                       ---------------      ----------------
Components of post retirement
  benefit expense
Service Cost                          $  0.3    $  0.2     $  0.5   $   0.4
Interest Cost                            0.8       0.8        1.8       1.6
Net amortization and deferral           (0.5)     (0.5)      (1.0)     (1.0)
Amortization of actuarial loss           0.3       0.2        0.7       0.4
                                       -----     -----      -----    ------
Postretirement benefit expense        $  0.9    $  0.7     $  2.0   $   1.4
                                       =====     =====      =====    ======

The Company previously disclosed in its financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2003, that it expected to contribute $34.6 to its defined pension plan in 2004. As of June 30, 2004, $20.6 of contributions have been made. The Company presently anticipates contributing an additional $14.0 to fund its pension plan in 2004 for a total of $34.6.


ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

The Company has made in this report, and from time to time may otherwise make in its public filings, press releases and discussions by Company management, forward-looking statements concerning the Company's operations, performance and financial condition, as well as its strategic objectives. Some of these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as "believes", "expects", "may", "will", "should", "seeks", "approximately", "intends", "plans", "estimates", or "anticipates" or the negative of those words or other comparable terminology. Such forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties and the Company claims the protection afforded by the safe harbor for forward- looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors in addition to those discussed elsewhere herein and in the Company's other public filings, press releases and discussions with Company management, including:

1. changes in federal, state, local and third party payor regulations or policies (or in the interpretation of current regulations) affecting governmental and third-party reimbursement for clinical laboratory testing;

2. adverse results from investigations of clinical laboratories by the government, which may include significant monetary damages and/or exclusion from the Medicare and Medicaid programs;

3. loss or suspension of a license or imposition of a fine or penalties under, or future changes in, the law or regulations of the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act of 1967, and the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988, or those of Medicare, Medicaid or other federal, state or local agencies;

4. failure to comply with the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration requirements and the Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act which may result in penalties and loss of licensure;

5. failure to comply with HIPAA, which could result in significant fines;

6. failure of third party payors to complete testing with the Company, or accept or remit transactions in HIPAA-required standard transaction and code set format, could result in an interruption in the Company's cash flow;

7. increased competition, including price competition;

8. changes in payor mix, including an increase in capitated managed-cost health care;

9. failure to obtain and retain new customers and alliance partners, or a reduction in tests ordered or specimens submitted by existing customers;


10.failure to integrate newly acquired businesses and the cost related to such integration;

11.adverse results in litigation matters;

12.inability to attract and retain experienced and qualified personnel;

13.failure to maintain the Company's days sales outstanding levels;

14.decrease in credit ratings by Standard & Poor's and/or Moody's;

15.failure to develop or acquire licenses for new or improved technologies, or if customers use new technologies to perform their own tests;

16.inability to commercialize newly licensed tests or technologies or to obtain appropriate reimbursements for such tests, which could result in impairment in the value of certain capitalized licensing costs;

17.inability to obtain and maintain adequate patent and other proprietary rights protection of the Company's products and services and successfully enforce the Company's proprietary rights;

18.the scope, validity and enforceability of patents and other proprietary rights held by third parties which might have an impact on the Company's ability to develop, perform, or market the Company's tests or operate its business;

19.failure in the Company's information technology systems resulting in an increase in testing turnaround time or billing processes;

20.liabilities that result from the inability to comply with new Corporate governance requirements; and

21.compliance by the Company with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, including Section 404 of that Act which requires management to report on, and our independent registered public accounting firm to attest to and report on, our internal controls, will require management to devote substantial time and attention, which could prove to be disruptive to product development and licensing, marketing and other business activities and will require additional legal, accounting and other expenses to implement the requirements of these new rules.


RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

As discussed in the Company's Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2003, the Company acquired DIANON Systems, Inc. on January 17, 2003. All dollar amounts are in millions.

Three Months ended June 30, 2004 compared with Three Months ended June 30, 2003.

Net sales for the three months ended June 30, 2004 were $784.3 an increase of $40.6, or approximately 5.5%, from $743.7 for the comparable 2003 period. The sales increase is a result of an increase of approximately 5.0% in volume (primarily volume growth in genomic and esoteric testing of approximately 10% as well as volume growth of approximately 4% in the base business). Price increased by approximately 0.5% for the quarter.

Cost of sales, which includes primarily laboratory and distribution costs, was $444.6 for the three months ended June 30, 2004 compared to $427.2 in the corresponding 2003 period, an increase of $17.4, or 4.1%. The increase in cost of sales is primarily the result of increases in volume discussed above. Cost of sales as a percentage of net sales was 56.7% for the three months ended June 30, 2004 and 57.4% in the corresponding 2003 period. Cost of sales as a percentage of sales was impacted by the Company's ongoing cost reduction programs.

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased to $165.0 for the three months ended June 30, 2004 from $164.1 in the same period in 2003. As a percentage of net sales, selling, general and administrative expenses were 21.0% and 22.1% for the three months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively. This decrease in selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales is a result of realized synergies from the Dynacare and DIANON acquisitions, as well as a reduced effective bad debt expense rate, resulting from improved billing performance.

The amortization of intangibles and other assets was $10.5 and $9.5 for the three months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003. The increase in the amortization expense for the three months ended June 30, 2004 is a result of small acquisitions.

Interest expense was $9.3 for the three months ended June 30, 2004 compared with $10.0 for the same period in 2003. This decrease was a direct result of debt reductions following the Company's financing of the DIANON acquisition in 2003.

Income from equity investments was $12.1 for the three months ended June 30, 2004 compared with $11.3 for the same period in 2003. This income represents the Company's ownership share in equity affiliates acquired as part of the Dynacare acquisition on July 25, 2002. A significant portion of this income is derived from investments in Ontario and Alberta, Canada, and is earned in Canadian dollars.

The provision for income taxes as a percentage of earnings before taxes was 41.0% for the three month periods June 30, 2004 and 2003.


Six Months ended June 30, 2004 compared with Six Months ended June 30, 2003.

Net sales for the six months ended June 30, 2004 were $1,536.8, an increase of $80.9, or 5.6%, from $1,455.9 for the same period in 2003. The sales increase is a result of an increase in volume (primarily volume growth in genomic and esoteric testing of approximately 10% as well as volume growth of approximately 5% in the base business). Price was essentially flat for the first six months.

Cost of sales, which includes primarily laboratory and distribution costs, was $879.5 for the six months ended June 30, 2004 compared to $842.9 for the same period of 2003, an increase of $36.6, or 4.3%. The increase in cost of sales is primarily the result of increases in volume discussed above. Cost of sales as a percentage of net sales was 57.2% for the six months ended June 30, 2004 and 57.9% for the same period in 2003. Cost of sales as a percentage of sales was impacted by the Company's ongoing cost reduction programs.

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased to $328.0 for the six months ended June 30, 2004 from $327.4 for the same period in 2003. As a percentage of net sales, selling, general and administrative expenses were 21.3% and 22.5% for the three months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively. This decrease in selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales is a result of realized synergies from the Dynacare and DIANON acquisitions, as well as a reduced effective bad debt expense rate, resulting from improved billing performance.

The amortization of intangibles and other assets was $20.8 and $18.0 for the six months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003. The increase in the amortization expense for the six months ended June 30, 2004 is a result of small acquisitions.

Interest expense was $18.6 for the six months ended June 30, 2004 compared with $21.4 for the same period in 2003. This decrease was a direct result of debt reductions following the Company's financing of the DIANON acquisition in 2003.

The provision for income taxes as a percentage of earnings before taxes was 41.0% for the six months ended June 30, 2004 compared to 40.8% for the six months ended June 30, 2003.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Net cash provided by operating activities was $294.3 and $258.2 for the six months ended June 30, 2004 and June 30, 2003, respectively. The increase in cash flows from operations primarily resulted from improved earnings, the expansion of the business through acquisitions, and the improvement of the Company's accounts receivable days' sales oustanding ("DSO") to 52 days at June 30, 2004 from 54 days at June 30, 2003.

Capital expenditures were $42.6 and $37.4 at June 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively. The Company expects total capital expenditures of approximately $90.0 to $100.0 in 2004. These expenditures are intended to continue to improve information systems and further


automate laboratory processes. Such expenditures are expected to be funded by cash flow from operations.

On December 17, 2003, the Company's Board of Directors authorized a stock repurchase program under which the Company may purchase up to an aggregate of $250.0 of its common stock from time- to-time, beginning in the first quarter of 2004. During the first six months of 2004, the Company purchased approximately 4.6 million shares of its common stock totaling $182.1 with cash flow from operations. It is the Company's intention to fund future purchases of its common stock with cash flow from operations.

Based on current and projected levels of operations, coupled with availability under its revolving credit facilities, the Company believes it has sufficient liquidity to meet both its short-term and long-term cash needs.

CONTRACTUAL CASH OBLIGATIONS

Payments Due by Period at June 30, 2004

                      < 1 Yr    1-3 Yrs   3-5 Yrs    > 5 Yrs
                      ---------------------------------------
Capital lease
  obligations         $  1.4   $  2.5    $  1.2     $   --
Operating leases        57.5     75.3      34.1       25.3
Restructuring
  obligations            2.3      6.4       5.9        6.4
Contingent future
  licensing payments(a)  9.7     31.1      19.0        0.4
Royalty payments         0.3      1.8       2.0         --
5 1/2% Senior Notes       --       --        --      350.0
Zero Coupon-
  Subordinated Notes   530.5(b)    --        --         --
                       -----    -----     -----      -----
  Total contractual
    Cash obligations  $601.7   $117.1    $ 62.2     $382.1
                       =====    =====     =====      =====

(a) Contingent future licensing payments will be made in the event that certain events take place, such as the launch of a specific test, the transfer of certain technology, and when specified revenue milestones are met.

(b) Holders of the zero coupon-subordinated notes may require the Company to purchase all or a portion of their notes on September 11, 2004, 2006 and 2011 at prices ranging from $712.97 to $819.54 per note. The Company may choose to pay the purchase price in cash or common stock or a combination of cash and common stock. If the holders elect to require the Company to purchase their notes, it is the Company's current intention to retire the notes by a cash payment. However, future market conditions are subject to change. Should the holders put the notes to the Company on any of the dates above, the Company believes that it will be able to satisfy this contingent obligation with cash on hand, borrowings on the revolving credit facility, and additional financing if necessary.


EITF NO 04-8 "THE EFFECT OF CONTINGENTLY CONVERTIBLE DEBT ON DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE"

In July 2004, the Emerging Issues Task Force ("EITF") of the Financial Accounting Standards Board provided a tentative conclusion on EITF Issue No. 04-8, "The Effect of Contingently Convertible Debt on Diluted Earnings per Share." Under the EITF's tentative conclusion, contingently convertible shares attached to a debt instrument are to be included in the calculation of diluted earnings per share regardless of whether the contingency has been met. Historically the Company has followed the guidance of paragraph 30 of SFAS No. 128, "Earnings Per Share", and excluded these contingently convertible shares from its calculations of diluted earnings per share. If a final consensus is reached in support of the tentative EITF conclusion, the Company would be required to adopt the provisions of EITF No 04-8 for its zero coupon-subordinated notes for periods ending after December 15, 2004, including the retroactive restatement of all diluted earnings per share calculations for all periods presented. The EITF Issue No 04-8 is currently subject to a comment period and the EITF will review the comments at its September 2004 meeting. Based on a review of the provisions of the Issue No 04-8, the Company has determined that the adoption would result in the reduction of its diluted earnings per share. Using the "if converted" method as if the zero coupon-subordinated notes had been converted as of January 1, 2004, diluted income per share of common stock from continuing operations would have been reduced by approximately $0.03, to $0.67; and by $0.06, to $1.24; for the three and six months ended June 30, 2004, respectively. However, the exact amount of dilution cannot be determined until final guidance is provided by the EITF.

ITEM 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk

The Company addresses its exposure to market risks, principally the market risk associated with changes in interest rates, through a controlled program of risk management that has included in the past, the use of derivative financial instruments such as interest rate swap agreements. The Company had an interest rate swap agreement with a major financial institution, solely to manage its interest rate exposure on $175.0 million of its 5 1/2% senior notes. This swap agreement was terminated during June 2003 and the Company received net proceeds of $5.3 million. Although, as set forth below, the Company's zero coupon-subordinated notes contain features that are considered to be embedded derivative instruments, the Company does not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for trading purposes. The Company does not believe that its exposure to market risk is material to the Company's financial position or results of operations.

The Company's zero coupon-subordinated notes contain the following three features that are considered to be embedded derivative instruments under SFAS No. 133:

1) The Company will pay contingent cash interest on the zero coupon-subordinated notes after September 11, 2006, if the average market price of the notes equals 120% or more of the


sum of the issue price, accrued original issue discount and contingent additional principal, if any, for a specified measurement period.
2) Contingent additional principal will accrue on the zero coupon-subordinated notes during the two-year period from September 11, 2004 to September 11, 2006, if the Company's stock price is at or below specified thresholds.
3) Holders may surrender zero coupon-subordinated notes for conversion during any period in which the rating assigned to the zero coupon-subordinated notes by Standard & Poor's Ratings Services is BB- or lower.

Based upon independent appraisals, these embedded derivatives had no fair value at June 30, 2004.

ITEM 4. Controls and Procedures

As of the end of the period covered by this Form 10-Q, the Company carried out, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company's management, including the Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures. Based on the foregoing, the Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures are effective in timely alerting them to material information which is required to be included in the periodic reports that the Company must file with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

There were no significant changes in the Company's internal controls or in other factors that could adversely affect the internal controls as of the end of the second fiscal quarter.


LABORATORY CORPORATION OF AMERICA HOLDINGS AND SUBSIDIARIES

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

See "Note 10 to the Company's Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements" for the three months ended June 30, 2004, which is incorporated by reference.

Item 2. Changes in Securities, Use of Proceeds and Issuer

Purchases of Equity Securities

(e) Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities (Dollars and Shares in millions except per share amounts)

                                                  Total Number
                                               Of Shares        Maximum
                                    Average   Repurchased     Dollar Value
                         Total       Price     as Part of      of Shares
                         Number      Paid       Publicly     that May Yet Be
                        of Shares     Per      Announced    Repurchased Under
                       Repurchased   Share      Program        the Program
                       ----------- ---------  -----------   -----------------
January 1-January 31       0.3      $38.317        0.3           $239.5
February 1-February 29     0.4       38.872        0.7            223.2
March 1-March 31           1.0       38.562        1.7            183.4
April 1-April 30           0.9       39.623        2.6            149.2
May 1-May 31               1.0       39.787        3.6            109.7
June 1-June 30             1.0       41.444        4.6             67.9
                        ------       ------     ------           ------
Total                      4.6       39.675        4.6             67.9
                        ======       ======     ======           ======

On December 17, 2003, the Company's Board of Directors authorized and announced stock repurchase program under which the Company may purchase up to an aggregate of $250.0 of its common stock from time-to-time, beginning in the first quarter of 2004.

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

The following votes were provided by American Stock Transfer & Trust Company in their proxy tabulation reports dated May 13, 2004:

Total outstanding shares of Laboratory Corporation

of America Holdings(NEW):                           143,014,042
Total shares voted                                  128,995,046

                                          Votes         Authority
                                           For          Withheld
                                       -----------     -----------
Election of the members
of the Board of Directors:
           Thomas P. Mac Mahon         127,736,466      1,258,580
           Jean-Luc Belingard          128,274,491        720,555
           Wendy E. Lane               126,998,863      1,996,183
           Robert E. Mittelstaedt, Jr. 128,296,535        698,511
           Andrew G. Wallace, MD       128,252,670        742,376
           M. Keith Weikel             128,296,529        698,517
           Craig M. Watson             128,295,455        699,591


Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of
Security Holders- Continued

                                Votes       Votes     Votes    Broker
                                 For       Against  Abstained Non-Votes
                              ----------- --------- --------- ---------
Approval of the Amendments
To the Laboratory Corporation
of America Holdings 1997
Employee Stock Purchase Plan  100,350,134 1,534,136 331,706  26,779,070

Ratification of the
appointment of
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
as the Company's independent
accountants for the fiscal
year ending December 31, 2004 127,496,560 1,215,663 282,823       --


Total outstanding shares of Laboratory Corporation
of America Holdings (OLD):                                   40,863
Total shares voted                                            4,722

                                            Votes          Votes
                                             For          Withheld
                                          ---------       ---------
Election of the members
of the Board of Directors:
           Thomas P. Mac Mahon               4,622              100
           Jean-Luc Belingard                4,722                0
           Wendy E. Lane                     4,722                0
           Robert E. Mittelstaedt, Jr.       4,722                0
           Andrew G. Wallace, MD             4,722                0
           M. Keith Weikel                   4,722                0
           Craig M. Watson                   4,722                0

                                    Votes        Votes         Votes
                                     For         Against     Abstained
                                   ------       --------     ---------
Approval of the Amendment to the
Laboratory Corporation of America
Holdings 1997 Employee Stock
Purchase Plan                       3,285           0         1,437

Ratification of the appointment of
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the
Company's independent accountants
for the fiscal year ending

December 31, 2004: 3,285 0 1,437


Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of
Security Holders- Continued

In addition, certain shares of National Health Laboratories Holdings Inc. (NHL) which have not been converted to Company shares were eligible to vote at the annual meeting and were voted as follows:

Total outstanding NHL shares:                                116
Total shares voted:                                            5


                                            Votes          Votes
                                             For          Withheld
                                           --------       --------
Election of the members
of the Board of Directors:
          Thomas P. Mac Mahon                   5              0
          Jean-Luc Belingard                    5              0
          Wendy E. Lane                         5              0
          Robert E. Mittelstaedt, Jr.           5              0
          Andrew G. Wallace, MD                 5              0
          M. Keith Weikel                       5              0
          Craig M. Watson                       5              0

                                    Votes        Votes         Votes
                                     For         Against     Abstained
                                   -------       -------     ---------
Approval of the Amendment to the
Laboratory Corporation of America
Holdings 1997 Employee
Stock Purchase Plan                   5             0            0

Ratification of the appointment of
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the
Company's independent accountants
for the fiscal year ending
December 31, 2004:                    5             0            0


Item 5. Other Information

Senior Executive Transition Policy

In April 2004, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board of Directors, and the Board adopted, a Senior Executive Transition Policy (the "Policy").

An Executive Officer is eligible for benefits under this Policy if:
(1) he or she held office as the President/CEO or an Executive Vice President on or after April 1, 2004; (2) at the time of his or her voluntary termination, has been an Executive Vice President or President/CEO of LabCorp for at least five years; (3) has been credited with at least 10 years of service under the LabCorp Employees' Retirement Savings Plan at their termination date; and (4) has entered into a non-competition agreement with the Company within 30 days of the adoption of the Policy or his or her appointment as an Executive Vice President or President/CEO. If a qualifying executive resigns before attaining age 65, the departed executive's restricted stock and stock option awards will continue to vest and be exercisable on the same terms as if the executive had continued his or her employment with LabCorp. The benefits of the Policy will be available only if the executive officer complies with the terms of the Policy regarding (a) minimizing any possible adverse effect on shareholders of his or her announcement of and statements regarding, a decision or intention to terminate employment before age 65; (b) the reasonableness of the period between his or her announcement of a decision or intention to retire and the announced and/or actual termination date; and (c) compliance with an individualized plan to be developed by the Board of Directors for the transition of his or her duties to others, including a successor.

Each of the Company's Executive Officers as of the adoption of the policy entered into a non-competition agreement with the Company within the time periods set forth above.

Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

(a) Exhibits

10.1  Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings Senior Executive
      Transition Policy

31.1  Certification pursuant to Section 302 of
      the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 by the Chief
      Executive Officer

31.2  Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the
      Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 by the Chief
      Financial Officer

  32  Certification pursuant to Section 906 of
      the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 by the Chief
      Executive Officer and the Chief Financial
      Officer

(b) Reports on Form 8-K

N/A


S I G N A T U R E S

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 thereunto duly authorized.

LABORATORY CORPORATION OF AMERICA HOLDINGS
Registrant

                           By:/s/THOMAS P. MAC MAHON
                              ---------------------------
                                  Thomas P. Mac Mahon
                                  Chairman, President and
                                  Chief Executive Officer



                           By:/S/WESLEY R. ELINGBURG
                              ---------------------------
                                  Wesley R. Elingburg
                                  Executive Vice President,
                                  Chief Financial Officer and
                                  Treasurer

August 4, 2004


EXHIBIT 10.1

Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings Senior Executive Transition Policy

This Senior Executive Transition Policy ("the Policy") is adopted to state in a single document the policy of Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings ("LabCorp") regarding Awards made under Stock Incentive Plans to a Senior Executive if the Senior Executive thereafter voluntarily terminates employment with LabCorp before reaching age 65. For purposes of this Policy, the term "Senior Executive" means a duly appointed President/CEO or Executive Vice President of LabCorp. The term "Stock Incentive Plan" means the Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings 1994 Stock Option Plan, the Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings 2000 Stock Option Plan, and any plan of a like kind that may be adopted hereafter. The term "Award" means an Award as defined in a Stock Incentive Plan.

1. This Policy applies only to Eligible Senior Executives. An "Eligible Senior Executive" is a Senior Executive who has satisfied the requirements of Paragraph 2 of this Policy (relating to a Confidentiality/Non-Compete Letter), who held office as the President/CEO or an Executive Vice President of LabCorp on or after April 1, 2004, and who at the time of his or her voluntary termination has served as a Senior Executive of LabCorp for at least five years and has been credited with at least ten "Years of Service" as defined in the Laboratory Corporation of America Employees' Retirement Savings Plan.

2. A Senior Executive satisfies the requirement of this Paragraph 2 of the Policy if he or she executes a Confidentiality/Non- Compete Letter substantially in the form attached as Exhibit A within 30 days of the later of the adoption of this Policy or his or her appointment as a Senior Executive, and if he or she executes such amended forms of such a letter as may reasonably be required by the Board of Directors from time to time.

3. If an Eligible Senior Executive resigns from office and terminates employment with LabCorp and its affiliates before reaching age 65, and the Compensation Committee finds that the Eligible Senior Executive's transition satisfies the transition requirements described in Paragraph 4 of this Policy, then LabCorp, acting through the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors, will take all steps necessary and proper to cause all Unexpired Awards to continue to be eligible for vesting and to continue to be or become exercisable, payable, or eligible for the termination of restrictions (as the case may be) following termination of employment on the same terms and conditions as if the Eligible Senior Executive had remained employed by LabCorp during the original exercise period (or, in the case of an Eligible Senior Executive who dies following resignation from office and termination of employment, as if the Eligible Senior Executive had remained so employed through the date of death). An "Unexpired Award" means an Award granted to the Eligible Senior Executive that had not expired and, in the case of an Award that is an option, had not been exercised; in the case of an Award that consists of restricted stock, had not yet become free of restrictions; or, in the case of any other Award, had not become payable as of the date of his or her termination of employment with LabCorp.

4. The transition requirements referred to in Paragraph 3 of this Plan are as follows:

(a) the Eligible Senior Executive's announcement of a decision or intention to terminate before age 65 ("Announcement"), and his or her subsequent public statements regarding his or her decision or intention to terminate employment, are each made at a time and in a manner reasonably calculated to minimize any adverse effect the Announcement and/or any such statement might have on the shareholders of LabCorp;

(b) the Eligible Senior Executive's Announcement, his or her announced termination date, and (if different) his or her actual termination date, whether considered individually or in conjunction with the dates of the Announcement, the scheduled termination dates, and/or the actual termination dates of any other Senior Executives, do not occur within a period of time that the Compensation Committee finds unreasonably short;

(c) following his or her Announcement, the Eligible Senior Executive cooperates to the full satisfaction of the Compensation Committee in the Board of Directors' development of a plan (the "Transition Plan") for the transition of his or her duties to others, including his or her successor; and the Eligible Senior Executive executes his or her duties under the Transition Plan to the full satisfaction of the Compensation Committee. A Senior Executive's duties under a Transition Plan may include (without limitation) taking all steps assigned to him or her by the Board in connection with the search for and/or selection of a successor, and active cooperation in training a successor and fully familiarizing the successor with sources of relevant information necessary to carrying out the successor's duties.

5. This Policy may be modified, terminated, or amended at any time by the Compensation Committee, provided, however, that no modification, termination, or amendment of the Policy adopted after a Senior Executive has made an Announcement will apply to such Senior Executive without his or her written consent.

EXHIBIT A

[NAME]
President OR Executive Vice President
Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings 430 S. Spring Street, First Floor
Burlington, NC 27215

Dear ________________:

This letter is intended to memorialize your agreement, as the _________________________ of Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings ("the Company"), to certain duties of confidentiality, non- competition, and similar matters during your employment, and following your termination of employment, with the Company and any of its affiliates (collectively, "LabCorp"). If you sign and return this letter on or before _________ __, 2004, you will satisfy the requirement of Section 2 of the Senior Executive Transition Policy for being an "Eligible Senior Executive" as defined in that Policy.

Defined Terms. For purposes of this letter, "Laboratory Testing" refers to the collection for testing and/or testing of specimens from human beings for the purposes of diagnosis, treatment, or care of disease or illness; monitoring or providing data for the analysis of a regimen of treatment, a therapy, or a diagnostic or therapeutic procedure; and/or detection or analysis of the presence or absence of factors, chemicals or compounds. "Clinical Trial" refers to assembling, validating, or analyzing data relating to the safety or effectiveness of a drug or medical device.

Receipt of Confidential Information. You acknowledge that in the course of your employment with LabCorp, you have developed and will develop an extensive knowledge of LabCorp's business, including but not limited to business strategies, cost information, marketing information, product and service information, new products and services under development, and plans for the expansion of product and service lines (including, without limitation, plans for the acquisition or licensing of intellectual property relating to Laboratory Testing). In addition, you acknowledge that in your employment you have access to information regarding LabCorp's business plans, sales methods, and customers on a corporate-wide basis in every market in which LabCorp conducts business. The knowledge and information referred to above will be referred to as "Confidential Information."

Competition. You and the Company agree that LabCorp will suffer significant and irreparable injury, for which damages at law would not be a measurable or adequate remedy, if you become employed by any corporation or entity that competes with LabCorp or if you provide services to any such corporation or entity in any other capacity that would permit you to take advantage of the Confidential Information acquired by you during the course of your employment with LabCorp (including by breaching any of the numbered covenants contained in this paragraph). Accordingly, you agree that during your employment by LabCorp and for a period of two (2) years following your termination of employment, you will not, directly or indirectly:

1. Become employed by or otherwise become interested in (as owner, stockholder, partner, co-venturer, director, officer, employee, agent, consultant, or otherwise) any corporation or entity that is engaged (a) in the business of Laboratory Testing in the United States and/or Canada at a location that is within five (5) miles of any location at which one or more employees of LabCorp is regularly engaged in any aspect of the business of Laboratory Testing (including, without limitation, any regular collection site served by LabCorp); or (b) that is engaged in the business of Clinical Trials in a country in which LabCorp is engaged in the business of Clinical Trials. This paragraph shall not prevent you from holding not more than five (5) percent of the outstanding securities of any class of any publicly traded company, other than a company primarily engaged in Laboratory Testing.

2. Solicit sales or business from any corporation or entity that was a customer of LabCorp within the one-year time period preceding your termination of employment provided, however, that the solicitation of sales of products or services not offered by LabCorp at the time of such solicitation shall not be deemed a violation of this provision.

3. Employ or retain, or arrange to have any other person or entity employ or retain, any person who shall have been employed or retained by LabCorp as a director or officer at any time during the one-year time period preceding the termination of your employment.

4. Attempt to influence any director or officer of LabCorp to terminate or modify his or her employment arrangement with LabCorp.

You agree that the foregoing restrictions are necessary for the reasonable and proper protection of the Company; are reasonable in respect to subject matter, length of time, geographic scope, customer scope, and scope of activity to be restrained; and are not unduly harsh and oppressive so as to deprive you of a livelihood or to unduly restrict your opportunity to earn a living after termination of your employment with the Company.

Confidentiality. During the term of your employment with LabCorp and thereafter, except as required by or pursuant to law, you shall not, without the written consent of the Board or a person authorized thereby, disclose to any person, other than an employee of LabCorp or a person to whom disclosure is reasonably necessary or appropriate in connection with the performance by you of your duties as a Senior Executive of LabCorp, any Confidential Information or Business Information obtained by you while in the employ of LabCorp. The term "Business Information" means any information pertaining to LabCorp's conduct of its Laboratory Testing and/or Clinical Trial business that is not readily and easily available to the public or to those in LabCorp's industry, including, without limitation, LabCorp's prices, pricing methods, costs, profits, profit margins, suppliers, procedures, processes, research and development projects, data, goals, activities, business strategies, marketing techniques, the identities or addresses of LabCorp's employees, the functions of LabCorp's employees, and any customer-related information.

Property. During the term of this Agreement, you shall not make, copy, maintain, distribute, divulge the contents of, or remove from LabCorp's offices or premises any documents, records, or similar materials containing Confidential Information or Business Information unless necessary or appropriate in accordance with your duties and responsibilities as [President OR Executive Vice President]. Upon termination of your employment with LabCorp, you shall leave with or immediately return to LabCorp all originals and copies of the foregoing LabCorp property then in your possession, whether prepared by you or by others.

Duty of Loyalty/Nondisparagement. During the term of your employment and for a period of five years following your termination of employment, you will not (except as required by or pursuant to law) communicate to anyone, whether by word or deed, whether directly or through any intermediary, and whether expressly or by suggestion or innuendo, any statement, whether characterized as one of fact or of opinion, that is intended to cause or that reasonably would be expected to cause any person to whom it is communicated to have (1) a lowered opinion of the Company or any affiliate, including a lowered opinion of any products manufactured, sold, or used by, or any services offered or rendered by the Company or any affiliate; and/or
(2) a lowered opinion of the creditworthiness or business prospects of the Company or any affiliate.

Interpretation and Enforcement. You and the Company agree that this letter will be interpreted and construed under the laws of North Carolina (exclusive of any laws relating to choice of law in the event of conflicts of law and of any principle causing ambiguities to be construed against the drafter), and that the covenants contained in the Competition portion of this letter will be construed and interpreted so as to permit their enforcement to the maximum extent permitted thereunder (including, to the extent necessary, by treating each provision of this letter as severable and separately enforceable, and/or by reforming any such separate provisions to the minimum extent necessary to permit enforcement of such covenants to the fullest extent permitted). You consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of North Carolina over any action or proceeding relating to the validity and/or construction of this letter, and agree that you will not bring or remove any such action or proceeding other than in or to a court established by the State of North Carolina.

If this Agreement is acceptable to you, please sign and date this letter where indicated below.

Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings

By:__________________________________

Accepted:

______________________________ ___/___/04
[NAME OF SENIOR EXECUTIVE]
[TITLE]


EXHIBIT 31.1

Certification

I, Thomas P. Mac Mahon, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the registrant and have:

a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

c) disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant's other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a) all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

Date: August 4, 2004

/s/ THOMAS P. MAC MAHON
-----------------------
    Thomas P. Mac Mahon
    Chief Executive Officer


EXHIBIT 31.2

Certification

I, Wesley R. Elingburg, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the registrant and have:

a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

c) disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant's other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a) all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

Date: August 4, 2004

/s/ WESLEY R. ELINGBURG
-----------------------
    Wesley R. Elingburg
    Chief Financial Officer


EXHIBIT 32

Written Statement of
Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (18 U.S.C. Section 1350)

The undersigned, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer of Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings (the "Company"), each hereby certifies that, to his knowledge on the date hereof:

(a) the Form 10-Q of the Company for the Period Ended June 30, 2004 filed on the date hereof with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Report") fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(b) information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

 By:/s/THOMAS P. MAC MAHON
    --------------------------------
       Thomas P. Mac Mahon
       Chief Executive Officer
       August 4, 2004



By:/s/WESLEY R. ELINGBURG
   ---------------------------------
      Wesley R. Elingburg
      Chief Financial Officer
      August 4, 2004