EARNINGS PER SHARE (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2011

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Earnings Per Share

	Three Months Ended September 30,		Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2011	2010	2011	2010
Amounts attributable to Quest Diagnostics' stockholders:
Income from continuing operations	$ 172,098	$ 198,435	$ 282,261	$ 555,816
Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes	(250)	(360)	(1,131)	(678)
Net income attributable to Quest Diagnostics' common stockholders	$ 171,848	$ 198,075	$ 281,130	$ 555,138
Income from continuing operations	$ 172,098	$ 198,435	$ 282,261	$ 555,816
Less:  Earnings allocated to participating securities	967	957	1,934	2,545
Earnings available to Quest Diagnostics' common stockholders – basic and diluted	$ 171,131	$ 197,478	$ 280,327	$ 553,271
Weighted average common shares outstanding – basic	157,816	173,229	158,971	177,456
Effect of dilutive securities:
Stock options and performance share units	1,186	1,086	1,548	1,697
Weighted average common shares outstanding – diluted	159,002	174,315	160,519	179,153
Earnings per share attributable to Quest Diagnostics' common stockholders – basic:
Income from continuing operations	$       1.08	$       1.14	$      1.76	$       3.12
Loss from discontinued operations	-	-	(0.01)	-
Net income	$       1.08	$       1.14	$       1.75	$       3.12
Earnings per share attributable to Quest Diagnostics' common stockholders – diluted:
Income from continuing operations	$       1.08	$       1.13	$       1.75	$       3.09
Loss from discontinued operations	(0.01)	-	(0.01)	-
Net income	$       1.07	$       1.13	$       1.74	$       3.09