Quest Diagnostics Incorporated , the nation's leading provider of diagnostic testing, information and services, announced that Robert A. Hagemann, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, is scheduled to speak at the Merrill Lynch Health Services Investor Conference on Tuesday, November 30, 2004, at The Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City. The Quest Diagnostics presentation is scheduled to begin at 8:45 a.m. Eastern Time.

During the conference the company will reiterate its fourth quarter 2004 guidance of approximately 6% revenue growth, operating income between 17% and 18% of revenues, and earnings per diluted share between $1.18 and $1.23 before a required change in the accounting for the company's contingent convertible debentures. Including the change in accounting, earnings per diluted share are expected to be between $1.15 and $1.20.

The presentation will be web cast live during the conference and will be available to registered investors on the following site: http://wsw.com/webcast/ml29/dgx and to the public on http://www.questdiagnostics.com/. In addition, the archived web cast will be available starting one hour after the presentation.

Quest Diagnostics Incorporated is the nation's leading provider of diagnostic testing, information and services, providing insights that enable healthcare professionals to make decisions that improve health. The company offers the broadest access to diagnostic testing services through its national network of laboratories and patient service centers, and provides interpretive consultation through its extensive medical and scientific staff. Quest Diagnostics is the leading provider of esoteric testing, including gene-based medical testing, and provides advanced information technology solutions to improve patient care. Additional company information is available at: http://www.questdiagnostics.com/.

The statements in this press release which are not historical facts or information may be forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and outcomes to be materially different. Certain of these risks and uncertainties may include, but are not limited to, competitive environment, changes in government regulations, changing relationships with customers, payers, suppliers and strategic partners and other factors described in the Quest Diagnostics Incorporated 2003 Form 10-K and subsequent filings.

SOURCE: Quest Diagnostics Incorporated

CONTACT: Laure Park (Investors): +1-201-393-5030, or Gary Samuels
(Media): +1-201-393-5700, both of Quest Diagnostics Incorporated

Web site: http://www.questdiagnostics.com/
http://wsw.com/webcast/ml29/dgx