BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2012

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Summary of Segment Reporting Information by Segment

	Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
	2012			2011			2012			2011
Net revenues:
Clinical laboratory testing business	$	1,739,092		$	1,726,948		$	3,507,079		$	3,389,113
All other operating segments	167,718			176,253			336,187			335,665
Total net revenues	$	1,906,810		$	1,903,201		$	3,843,266		$	3,724,778
Operating earnings (loss):
Clinical laboratory testing business	$	374,670		$	366,609		$	730,385		$	676,893
All other operating segments	16,283			14,766			27,910			22,625
General corporate expenses	(56,205		)	(64,521		)	(123,962		)	(351,704		)
Total operating income	334,748			316,854			634,333			347,814
Non-operating expenses, net	(35,826		)	(39,058		)	(65,793		)	(67,080		)
Income from continuing operations before taxes	298,922			277,796			568,540			280,734
Income tax expense	112,394			105,762			213,771			154,988
Income from continuing operations	186,528			172,034			354,769			125,746
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes	(55		)	(507		)	219			(881		)
Net income	186,473			171,527			354,988			124,865
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	8,768			8,384			18,165			15,583
Net income attributable to Quest Diagnostics	$	177,705		$	163,143		$	336,823		$	109,282