BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Summary of Segment Reporting Information by Segment

	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2012			2011			2012			2011
Net revenues:
Clinical laboratory testing business	$	1,687,512		$	1,723,102		$	5,194,591		$	5,112,215
All other operating segments	163,927			183,303			500,114			518,968
Total net revenues	$	1,851,439		$	1,906,405		$	5,694,705		$	5,631,183
Operating earnings (loss):
Clinical laboratory testing business	$	350,878		$	348,872		$	1,081,263		$	1,025,765
All other operating segments	21,201			24,492			49,111			47,117
General corporate expenses	(63,346		)	(51,311		)	(187,308		)	(403,015		)
Total operating income	308,733			322,053			943,066			669,867
Non-operating expenses, net	(33,894		)	(38,784		)	(99,687		)	(105,864		)
Income from continuing operations before taxes	274,839			283,269			843,379			564,003
Income tax expense	103,340			101,126			317,111			256,114
Income from continuing operations	171,499			182,143			526,268			307,889
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes	39			(250		)	258			(1,131		)
Net income	171,538			181,893			526,526			306,758
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	8,456			10,045			26,621			25,628
Net income attributable to Quest Diagnostics	$	163,082		$	171,848		$	499,905		$	281,130