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

May 20, 2004
------------------
(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 9. Regulation FD Disclosure

On May 20, 2004, Laboratory Corporation of America -Registered Trademark-
Holdings (LabCorp -Registered Trademark-)(NYSE:LH) announced the offering of
the only buccal swab test for alpha 1-antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency, the most
common, modifiable genetic factor leading to chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease (COPD), the fourth leading cause of death in the United States.


99.1  Press release of the Company dated May 20, 2004.


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: May 20, 2004