EXHIBIT 99.3

                            LIFEPOINT HOSPITALS, INC.

                            CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
                             18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
                             AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
                  SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Report of LifePoint Hospitals, Inc. (the "Company") on
Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2003, as filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), I, Kenneth C. Donahey,
Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company, certify,
pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Sec. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Sec. 906 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2)  Information  contained  in the  Report  fairly  presents,  in all  material
respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.



Date: April 30, 2003
                                            /s/Kenneth C. Donahey
                                            ---------------------------------
                                            Kenneth C. Donahey
                                            Chairman, Chief Executive Officer
                                            and President

This certification shall not be deemed "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the
Exchange Act, or otherwise subject to liability pursuant to that section. Such
certification shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any
filing under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, except to the extent that
the Company specifically incorporates it by reference. A signed original of this
written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to the Company and
will be retained by the Company and furnished to the Securities and
Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.