Laboratory Corporation of America-Registered Trademark- Holdings
358 South Main Street
Burlington, NC   27215
Telephone:  336-584-5171


Contact:  336-436-4855 Pamela Sherry
Shareholder Direct:  800-LAB-0401
                     www.labcorp.com



LABCORP (-REGISTERED TRADEMARK-) FILES REGISTRATION STATEMENT TO
ENABLE ROCHE (-REGISTERED TRADEMARK-) TO SELL UP TO 5.0 MILLION
LABCORP (-REGISTERED TRADEMARK-) SHARES


Burlington, NC, September 27, 2000 - Laboratory Corporation of
America (-REGISTERED TRADEMARK-)  Holdings (NYSE: LH) (LabCorp (-
REGISTERED TRADEMARK-)) announced today that Roche Holdings, Inc.
has indicated that it plans to sell up to 5.0 million shares of
LabCorp common stock.
Roche currently owns approximately 15,352,537, or 44.5 percent,
of LabCorp common shares.  At September 26, 2000, assuming Roche
sells the full amount of the 5.0 million shares of common stock,
Roche's ownership of LabCorp common stock would be slightly above
30 percent.
LabCorp has filed a registration statement with the Securities
and Exchange Commission relating to this offer and sale by Roche
of LabCorp stock, but the registration statement has not yet
become effective.  Such securities may not be sold nor may offers
to buy be accepted prior to the time the registration statement
becomes effective.
 Laboratory Corporation of America (-REGISTERED TRADEMARK-)
Holdings (LabCorp (-REGISTERED TRADEMARK-)) is a national
clinical laboratory with annual revenues of $1.7 billion in 1999.
With 18,000 employees and over 100,000 clients nationwide, the
company offers more than 2,000 clinical tests ranging from simple
blood analyses to sophisticated molecular diagnostics. LabCorp
leverages its expertise in innovative clinical testing technology
with its Centers of Excellence. The Center for Molecular Biology
and Pathology, in Research Triangle Park (RTP), North Carolina,
develops applications for polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
technology, and National Genetics Institute in Los Angeles is an
industry leader in developing novel, highly sensitive PCR methods
for testing hepatitis C and other infectious agents. Its Center
for Occupational Testing in RTP is one of the world's largest
substance abuse testing facilities, and the Center for Esoteric
Testing in Burlington, North Carolina, performs the largest
volume of specialty testing in the network.  LabCorp's clients
include physicians, state and federal government, managed care
organizations, hospitals, clinics, pharmaceutical and Fortune
1000 companies, and other clinical laboratories.

FORWARD-LOOKING CAUTIONARY STATEMENT: This release contains
statements that constitute forward-looking information.  Such
statements are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and
assumptions.  All of these forward-looking statements are based
on estimates and assumptions made by LabCorp's management which,
although believed by LabCorp's management to be reasonable, are
inherently uncertain.  Such forward-looking statements are not
guarantees of future performance or results and involve certain
risks and uncertainties.  Actual results or developments may
differ materially from these forward-looking statements as a
result of various factors.



UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

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

SEPTEMBER 27, 2000
- ------------------
(Date of earliest event reported)


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


   DELAWARE                1-11353             13-3757370
 --------------          -----------         --------------
(State or other         (Commission          (IRS Employer
jurisdiction of         File Number)         Identification
incorporation)                                   Number)


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

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




ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS

On September 27, 2000, Laboratory Corporation of America-Registered
Trademark- Holdings (LabCorp -Registered Trademark-) announced today
that Roche Holdings, Inc. has indicated that it plans to sell up to 5.0
million shares of LabCorp common stock.

   Roche currently owns approximately 15,352,537, or 44.5 percent, of
LabCorp common shares.  At September 26, 2000, assuming Roche sells the
full amount of the 5.0 million shares of common stock, Roche's
ownership of LabCorp common stock would be slightly above 30 percent.

   LabCorp has filed a registration statement with the Securities and
Exchange Commission relating to this offer and sale by Roche of LabCorp
stock, but the registration statement has not yet become effective.
Such securities may not be sold nor may offers to buy be accepted prior
to the time the registration statement becomes effective.

ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, PRO FORMA FINANCIAL
        INFORMATION AND EXHIBITS

 (c)  Exhibit
      20  Press release of the Company dated
          September 27, 2000.



SIGNATURES

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

          LABORATORY CORPORATION OF AMERICA HOLDINGS
          ------------------------------------------
                        (Registrant)

               By:/s/ BRADFORD T.SMITH
                  ------------------------------
                      Bradford T. Smith
                      Executive Vice President,
                      General Counsel, Secretary
                      and Compliance Officer



Date: September 28, 2000