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

           January 13, 2005           
(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 jurisdiction
of Incorporation)
  (Commission
File Number)
  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
         
358 SOUTH MAIN STREET,
BURLINGTON, NORTH CAROLINA
  27215   336-229-1127

 
 
 
 
 
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)
  (Registrant's telephone number including area code)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

ITEM 1.01. Entry Into a Material Definitive Agreement

On January 13, 2005 — Laboratory Corporation of America® Holdings (LabCorp®) announced that it had entered into a new $350 million senior credit facility with Credit Suisse First Boston and UBS Securities LLC, acting as Co-Lead Arrangers, and a group of seven other financial institutions. The new facility consists of a five-year revolving credit facility in the principal amount of $350 million. The new facility will be used for general corporate purposes, including working capital, capital expenditures, funding of share repurchases and other payments and acquisitions. The new facility also provides for an accordion feature to increase the facility up to an additional $150 million, with the consent of the lenders, if needed to support the Company's growth. The Company's previous credit agreements, under which no loans were outstanding, were terminated upon the closing of the new facility.

Exhibits

99.1 Press Release dated January 13, 2005


SIGNATURES

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 hereunto duly authorized.

         
  Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings
(Registrant)
 
 
Date: January 14, 2005  By:   /s/Bradford T. Smith    
    Bradford T. Smith, Executive Vice President
and Secretary