MADISON, N.J., June 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE: DGX), the world's leading provider of diagnostic testing, information and services, announced today that, as of 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on June 2, 2009 (the "Early Tender Date"), the following principal amounts of its 5.125% Senior Notes due 2010 and 7.50% Senior Notes due 2011 (collectively, the "Notes") have been validly tendered and not validly withdrawn in connection with its previously announced cash tender offer to purchase up to $200 million total aggregate principal amount (the "Tender Cap") of the Notes. The terms and conditions of the tender offer are described in the Offer to Purchase dated May 19, 2009 and related Letter of Transmittal.

                           Aggregate
                           Principal     Acceptance    Principal Amount
    CUSIP     Title of      Amount        Priority     Tendered as of
    Number    Security    Outstanding      Level       Early Tender Date

    74834LAK6  5.125%    $400,000,000        1            $173,572,000
               Senior
               Notes
              due 2010

    74834LAE0   7.50%    $275,000,000        2             $48,720,000
               Senior
               Notes
              due 2011

Because the aggregate principal amount of the 5.125% Senior Notes due 2010 validly tendered and not validly withdrawn as of the Early Tender Date does not exceed the Tender Cap, the amount of each series of Notes that may be purchased in the tender offer will be determined in accordance with the Tender Cap and the Acceptance Priority Levels based on the principal amount of the Notes tendered as of midnight, New York City time, on June 16, 2009, unless extended. The Notes may be subject to proration, in each case as described in the Offer to Purchase and related Letter of Transmittal.

The settlement date in respect of Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn and accepted for purchase is expected to occur on the second business day following the Expiration Date.

Quest Diagnostics has retained Banc of America Securities LLC to act as Lead Dealer Manager and Calyon Securities (USA) Inc. and Mitsubishi UFJ Securities (USA), Inc. to serve as Co-Dealer Managers. Global Bondholder Services Corporation has been retained to serve as the depositary and the information agent for the tender offer.

For additional information regarding the terms of the tender offer, please contact: Banc of America Securities LLC at (888) 292-0070 (toll free) or (980) 388-4603 (collect).

Requests for documents and questions regarding the tendering of Notes may be directed to Global Bondholder Services Corporation at (866) 470-3800 (toll free).

About Quest Diagnostics

Quest Diagnostics is the world's leading provider of diagnostic testing, information and services that patients and doctors need to make better healthcare decisions. The company offers the broadest access to diagnostic testing services through its network of laboratories and patient service centers, and provides interpretive consultation through its extensive medical and scientific staff. Quest Diagnostics is a pioneer in developing innovative diagnostic tests and advanced healthcare information technology solutions that help improve patient care. Additional company information is available at www.QuestDiagnostics.com.

The statements in this press release which are not historical facts may be forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date that they are made and which reflect management's current estimates, projections, expectations or beliefs and which involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and outcomes to be materially different. Risks and uncertainties that may affect the future results of the company include, but are not limited to, adverse results from pending or future government investigations, lawsuits or private actions, the competitive environment, changes in government regulations, changing relationships with customers, payers, suppliers and strategic partners and other factors discussed in "Business" in Part I, Item 1, "Risk Factors" and "Cautionary Factors that May Affect Future Results" in Part I, Item 1A, "Legal Proceedings" in Part I, Item 3, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in Part II, Item 7 and "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk" in Part II, Item 7A in the company's 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk" in the company's 2009 Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and other items throughout the Form 10-K and the company's 2009 Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K.

SOURCE: Quest Diagnostics Incorporated

Web site: http://www.questdiagnostics.com/