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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000920148-03-000108.txt : 20030506
<SEC-HEADER>0000920148-03-000108.hdr.sgml : 20030506
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030506162354
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000920148-03-000108
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030502
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030506

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			LABORATORY CORP OF AMERICA HOLDINGS
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000920148
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SERVICES-MEDICAL LABORATORIES [8071]
		IRS NUMBER:				133757370
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		358 S MAIN ST
		CITY:			BURLINGTON
		STATE:			NC
		ZIP:			27215
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3362291127

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		358 S MAIN ST
		CITY:			BURLINGTON
		STATE:			NC
		ZIP:			27215

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	NATIONAL HEALTH LABORATORIES HOLDINGS INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19940314

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ELINGBURG WESLEY R
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001168584

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-11353
		FILM NUMBER:		03684509

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		430 S SPRING STREET
		CITY:			BURLINGTON
		STATE:			NC
		ZIP:			27215
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>

<ownershipDocument>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2003-05-02</periodOfReport>


    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000920148</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>LABORATORY CORP OF AMERICA HOLDINGS</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>LH</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001168584</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>ELINGBURG WESLEY R</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>  </rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>  </rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>  </rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>  </rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>  </rptOwnerZipCode>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>EVP, CFO, &amp; Treasurer</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeSecurity>
        <securityTitle>
            <value>Common Stock</value>
            <footnoteId id="F1"/>
        </securityTitle>
        <transactionDate>
            <value>2003-05-02</value>
        </transactionDate>
        <transactionCoding>
            <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
            <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
            <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
        </transactionCoding>
        <transactionTimeliness>
            <value></value>
        </transactionTimeliness>
        <transactionAmounts>
            <transactionShares>
                <value>15021</value>
            </transactionShares>
            <transactionValue>
                <value>30</value>
            </transactionValue>
            <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                <value>D</value>
            </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
        </transactionAmounts>
        <postTransactionAmounts>
            <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                <value>175161.3177</value>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
        </postTransactionAmounts>
        <ownershipNature>
            <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <value>D</value>
            </directOrIndirectOwnership>
        </ownershipNature>
    </nonDerivativeSecurity>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Pursuant to a plan in compliance with Rule 10b5-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Amount shown reflects a 2-for-1 stock split effective on May 10, 2002.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Bradford T. Smith, Attorney-In-Fact for Wesley R. Elingburg</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2003-05-06</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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