UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              Washington, DC 20549

                                  -------------

                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT
                     Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
                         Securities Exchange Act of 1934

                Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):
                        April 27, 2006 (April 27, 2006)

                                  -------------


                            LIFEPOINT HOSPITALS, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)



            Delaware                      0-51251               20-1538254
  (State or Other Jurisdiction          (Commission            (IRS Employer
       of Incorporation)               File Number)         Identification No.)


             103 Powell Court, Suite 200
                 Brentwood, Tennessee                                 37027
       (Address of principal executive offices)                     (Zip Code)

                                 (615) 372-8500
              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

                                 Not applicable
          (Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to
simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the
following provisions:

[_]  Written communication pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR
     230.425)

[_]  Soliciting  material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
     240.14a-12)

[_]  Pre-commencement   communications  pursuant  to  Rule  14d-2(b)  under  the
     Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

[_]  Pre-commencement   communications  pursuant  to  Rule  13e-4(c)  under  the
     Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

                                Page 1 of 4 pages

                         Exhibit Index located on Page 4









Item 2.02.   Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

             On April 27, 2006, LifePoint Hospitals, Inc. (the "Company") issued
             a press release announcing results for the first quarter ended
             March 31, 2006. See the press release attached as Exhibit 99.1.

Item 9.01.   Financial Statements and Exhibits.

  (a) Financial statements of businesses acquired.

       None required

  (b) Pro forma financial information.

       None required

  (c) Shell company transactions.

       None required

  (d)  Exhibits.

       99.1     Copy of press release issued by the Company on April 27, 2006.

                     Page 2 of 4 pages






                                   SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

         Date:  April 27, 2006           LIFEPOINT HOSPITALS, INC.

                                         By:   /s/  Michael J. Culotta
                                               ----------------------------

                                               Michael J. Culotta
                                               Chief Financial Officer

                                Page 3 of 4 pages







                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit
Number     Description
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99.1       Copy of press release issued by the Company on April 27, 2006

                                Page 4 of 4 pages