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

           March 30, 2005           
(Date of earliest event reported)

LABORATORY CORPORATION OF
AMERICA HOLDINGS

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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 March 30, 2005 — Laboratory Corporation of America^® Holdings (LabCorp^®) and Esoterix, Inc. and Subsidiaries (Esoterix), a leading provider of specialty reference testing, announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which LabCorp will acquire all of the outstanding shares of Esoterix, Inc. for approximately $150 million in cash. The transaction, which is subject to regulatory approval, is expected to close in the second quarter of 2005.

Exhibits

99.1 Press Release dated March 30, 2005

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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: March 31, 2005	By:	/s/Bradford T. Smith
		Bradford T. Smith, Executive Vice President and Secretary