BASIS OF FINANCIAL STATEMENT PRESENTATION (Details)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Ownership percentage below which investments are generally accounted for on the cost method (in thousandths)	20.00%
LabCorp Diagnostics [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percent of Revenue Contributed	70.70%	71.30%
Covance Drug Development [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percent of Revenue Contributed	29.30%		28.70%