BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2011

Business Segment Information [Abstract]

Summary of segment reporting information by segment

	Three Months Ended September 30,		Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2011	2010	2011	2010
Net revenues:
Clinical laboratory testing business	$  1,723,102	$ 1,708,051	$  5,112,215	$ 5,080,230
All other operating segments..	183,303	156,604	518,968	464,655
Total net revenues	$  1,906,405	$ 1,864,655	$  5,631,183	$ 5,544,885
Operating earnings (loss):
Clinical laboratory testing business	$     352,757	$    369,168	$  1,036,789	$ 1,101,733
All other operating segments..	24,492	16,008	47,117	33,065
General corporate expenses	(55,196)	(48,309)	(414,039)	(133,475)
Total operating income	322,053	336,867	669,867	1,001,323
Non-operating expenses, net..	(38,784)	(25,849)	(105,864)	(83,929)
Income from continuing operations before taxes	283,269	311,018	564,003	917,394
Income tax expense	101,126	102,902	256,114	333,931
Income from continuing operations	182,143	208,116	307,889	583,463
Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes	(250)	(360)	(1,131)	(678)
Net income	181,893	207,756	306,758	582,785
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	10,045	9,681	25,628	27,647
Net income attributable to Quest Diagnostics	$     171,848	$    198,075	$      281,130	$       555,138