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

August 13, 2003
- ------------------
(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
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(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)


ITEM 9. Regulation FD Disclosure

Laboratory Corporation of America -Registered Trademark-
Holdings (LabCorp -Registered Trademark-)(NYSE:LH) announced
that the PreGen-Plus-Trademark- colon cancer assay is nationally
available for LabCorp's clients to order beginning today.
PreGen-Plus-Trademark- is the proprietary DNA-based stool test
for the early detection of colorectal cancer developed by EXACT
Sciences Corporation (NASDAQ:EXAS).


Exhibits:
99.1  Press release of the Company dated August 13, 2003.



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
                      and Secretary


Date: August 13, 2003

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


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:   336-436-4855
           Pamela Sherry
           Investor@labcorp.com

Shareholder Direct:  800-LAB-0401
                     www.labcorp.com


NEW PREGEN-PLUS-TRADEMARK- COLON CANCER ASSAY
OFFERED BY LABCORP-REGISTERED TRADEMARK-
BEGINNING TODAY

Burlington, NC, August 13, 2003 - Laboratory Corporation of America-
Registered Trademark- Holdings (LabCorp-Registered Trademark-) (NYSE:
LH) announced that the PreGen-Plus-Trademark- colon cancer assay is
nationally available for LabCorp's clients to order beginning today. PreGen-
Plus-Trademark- is the proprietary DNA-based stool test for the early detection
of colorectal cancer developed by EXACT Sciences Corporation (NASDAQ:
EXAS).

The first national clinical laboratory to fully embrace genomic testing,
Laboratory Corporation of America-Registered Trademark- Holdings
(LabCorp-Registered Trademark-) has been a pioneer in commercializing new
diagnostic technologies.  As a national laboratory with annual revenues of
$2.5 billion in 2002 and approximately 24,000 employees, the Company
offers more than 4,000 clinical tests ranging from routine blood analyses to
sophisticated molecular diagnostics. Serving over 200,000 clients nationwide,
LabCorp combines its expertise in innovative clinical testing technology with
its Centers of Excellence. The Center for Molecular Biology and Pathology,
in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, offers state-of-the-art molecular
gene-based testing in infectious disease, oncology and genetics. DIANON
Systems, Inc. its Anatomic Pathology Center of Excellence, is a leader in
oncology and genetic testing, and National Genetics Institute in Los Angeles
is an industry leader in developing novel, highly sensitive polymerase chain
reaction (PCR) methods for testing hepatitis C and other blood borne
infectious agents. LabCorp's Minneapolis-based ViroMed offers molecular
microbial testing using real time PCR platforms, while its 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.  Actual results could differ materially from those suggested by these
forward-looking statements.  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, 2002 and subsequent SEC filings.