BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Summary of Segment Reporting Information by Segment

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2012			2011
Net revenues:
Clinical laboratory testing business	$	1,767,987		$	1,662,165
All other operating segments	168,469			159,412
Total net revenues	$	1,936,456		$	1,821,577
Operating earnings (loss):
Clinical laboratory testing business	$	355,715		$	310,284
All other operating segments	11,627			8,012
General corporate expenses	(67,757		)	(287,336		)
Total operating income	299,585			30,960
Non-operating expenses, net	(29,967		)	(28,022		)
Income from continuing operations before taxes	269,618			2,938
Income tax expense	101,377			49,226
Income (loss) from continuing operations	168,241			(46,288		)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes	274			(374		)
Net income (loss)	168,515			(46,662		)
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	9,397			7,199
Net income (loss) attributable to Quest Diagnostics	$	159,118		$	(53,861	)