EXHIBIT 23.1


                         CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the following Registration
Statements of our report dated February 14, 2003, with respect to the
consolidated financial statements of LifePoint Hospitals, Inc. included in the
LifePoint Hospitals, Inc. Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December
31, 2002: (i) Form S-8 No. 333-78221 pertaining to the LifePoint Hospitals, Inc.
Retirement Plan; (ii) Form S-8 No. 333-78187 pertaining to the LifePoint
Hospitals, Inc. 1998 Long-Term Incentive Plan; (iii) Form S-8 No. 333-78185
pertaining to the LifePoint Hospitals, Inc. Management Stock Purchase Plan and
LifePoint Hospitals, Inc. Outside Director's Stock and Incentive Plan; (iv) Form
S-3 No. 333-42634 pertaining to 340,000 shares of common stock issuable upon
exercise of options; (v) Form S-8 No. 333-63140 pertaining to the LifePoint
Hospitals, Inc. 1998 Long-Term Incentive Plan, as amended; (vi) Form S-8 No.
333-66378 pertaining to the LifePoint Hospitals, Inc. Executive Stock Purchase
Plan; (vii) Form S-8 No. 333-9172 pertaining to the LifePoint Hospitals, Inc.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan; and (viii) Form S-3 No. 333-90536 pertaining to
the LifePoint Hospitals, Inc. 4 1/2% Convertible Subordinated Notes due 2009.





Nashville, Tennessee
March 20, 2003