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
NOVEMBER 10, 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

   Laboratory Corporation of America -Registered Trademark-
Holdings (LabCorp -Registered Trademark-)(NYSE:LH) announced
that Standard & Poor's has upgraded its corporate credit and
bank loan ratings for LabCorp two levels, from BB+ to BBB.


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

 (c)  Exhibit
20 Press release of the Company dated November 10,
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: November 13, 2000

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


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



STANDARD & POOR'S RAISES LABCORP-REGISTERED TRADEMARK-  CREDIT
RATING TO INVESTMENT GRADE

Two Level Upgrade Reflects Solid Operating Performance and Continuing
Positive Trends



Burlington, NC, November 10, 2000 - Laboratory Corporation of America-
Registered Trademark- Holdings (LabCorp-Registered Trademark-)
(NYSE: LH) announced today that Standard & Poor's has upgraded its
corporate credit and bank loan ratings for LabCorp two levels, from
BB+ to BBB.

"We are pleased that Standard & Poor's has increased LabCorp's
corporate rating to investment-grade," said Thomas P. Mac Mahon,
chairman and chief executive officer of LabCorp. "Our strategic plan to
leverage LabCorp's national presence with our genomic strategy directly
contributed to our achievement of this improved financial ranking."

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 its 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.

Each of the above forward-looking statements is subject to change based
on various important factors, including without limitation, competitive
actions in the marketplace and adverse actions of governmental and
other third-party payors.  Further information on potential factors
that could affect LabCorp's financial results is included in the
Company's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999 and subsequent
SEC filings.