Exhibit 23


                       Consent of Independent Accountants



We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration
Statement on Form S-8 (No. 333-17079) of Quest Diagnostics Incorporated of our
report dated June 21, 2002 relating to the financial statements of The Profit
Sharing Plan of Quest Diagnostics Incorporated, which appears on page 1 of this
Form 11-K.




/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
New York, New York
June 21, 2002