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                                                                    EXHIBIT 99.2

                                              NEWS RELEASE
                                              FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

                                              CONTACT:  MERILYN H. HERBERT
                                              VICE PRESIDENT, INVESTOR RELATIONS
                                              (615) 370-1377


                   PROVINCE HEALTHCARE ANNOUNCES $150 MILLION
               PRIVATE OFFERING OF CONVERTIBLE SUBORDINATED NOTES

         Brentwood, Tennessee, October 2, 2001 - Province Healthcare Company
(Nasdaq:PRHC) announced today that it intends to offer, subject to market and
other conditions, $150 million of Convertible Subordinated Notes (plus an
additional amount of $22.5 million to cover over-allotments, if any), due 2008,
for purchase by qualified institutional buyers under Rule 144A of the Securities
Act of 1933. The Notes would be convertible into Province's Common Stock at the
option of the holder, at a price to be determined. The offering is expected to
close in October 2001. Province will agree to file a registration statement for
the resale of the Notes and the shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion
of the Notes within 90 days after the closing of the offering.

         The expected net proceeds of the offering will be used to repay
existing indebtedness, fund future hospital acquisitions, and for working
capital and general corporate purposes.

         This announcement is neither an offer to sell nor a solicitation of an
offer to buy any of these securities.

         The Notes and the Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Notes
have not been registered under the Securities Act, or any state securities laws,
and are being offered only to qualified institutional buyers in reliance on Rule
144A under the Securities Act. Unless so registered, the Notes and Common Stock
issued upon conversion of the Notes may not be offered or sold in the United
States, except pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of
the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws.

         Province Healthcare is a provider of healthcare services in attractive
non-urban markets in the United States. The Company owns or leases 17 general
acute care hospitals in 11 states with a total of 1,883 licensed beds. The
Company also provides management services to 35 primarily non-urban hospitals in
13 states with a total of 2,779 licensed beds.

         The foregoing information regarding Province's sale of Convertible
Subordinated Notes is forward looking. While management makes its best efforts
to be accurate in making forward-looking statements, any such statements are
subject to risks and uncertainties that could affect Province's ability to
successfully complete the offering. Risk factors include the possibility that
Province's Common Stock


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price could decrease, affecting Province's ability to close the Notes offering,
and uncertainties relating to the ability of the Company to use effectively the
proceeds from the sale of the Notes. Investors are directed to consider other
risks and uncertainties discussed in Province's documents filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.

CONTACT:  Merilyn H. Herbert, Province Healthcare Company (PRHC) at
          (615)370-1377