US Oncology Reports First Quarter 2008 Results

HOUSTON, May 7 /PRNewswire/ -- US Oncology Holdings, Inc. ("Holdings" or
the "Company"), the parent company of US Oncology, Inc. ("US Oncology"), one
of the nation's largest cancer services companies, reported revenue of
$810.6 million, Adjusted EBITDA of $52.1 million and operating cash flow of
$50.9 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2008.
The results of Holdings include those of US Oncology, its wholly-owned
subsidiary, through which all operations are conducted. The results of
operations and financial position of Holdings are substantially identical to
those of US Oncology, with the exception of nominal administrative expenses
and items related to the capitalization of Holdings. For the quarter ended
March 31, 2008, US Oncology reported Adjusted EBITDA of $52.2 million and
operating cash flow of $50.9 million.
During the quarter ended March 31, 2008, the Company identified an
impairment of the carrying value of goodwill in its medical oncology services
segment (see additional discussion in "Impairment and Restructuring Charges").
Although the amount of the impairment charge has not been finalized, the
non-cash charge is expected to range from $375 million to $409 million (the
entire carrying value of goodwill related to this segment). Because the
amount of the charge has not been finalized, this release excludes financial
information that is subject to change. The Company will include this
information in its first quarter Form 10-Q to be filed with the SEC on or
before May 15, 2008.
US Oncology Holdings First Quarter Results
-- Adjusted EBITDA for the first quarter of 2008 was $52.1 million,
compared to $57.2 million for the first quarter of 2007 and
$58.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2007. The decrease from the
first quarter of 2007 reflects reduced utilization of supportive care
drugs as well as lower management fees in the medical oncology segment.
The decrease from the previous quarter was due to performance fees
earned during the fourth quarter in the pharmaceutical services
segment, along with increased margin pressures and credit risk in our
OPS business.

-- Operating cash flow for the first quarter of 2008 was $50.9 million,
compared to $23.7 million for the first quarter of 2007 and $74.2
million for the fourth quarter of 2007. The increase in operating cash
flow from the first quarter of 2007 is primarily due to improved
receivable collections and the election to pay interest due March 15,
2008 on the Holdings notes, in kind. The decrease from the fourth
quarter of 2007 is due to payments made to physicians, earned in 2007
under programs that encourage their efficient use of capital and
services in our pharmaceutical services segment, as well as semi-annual
interest payments on the indebtedness of US Oncology made in the first
quarter of 2008.

-- During the first quarter of 2008, our network grew by a net of
48 physicians, which represents the seventh consecutive quarter of net
growth. During the quarter, 71 physicians began practicing as part of
the US Oncology network and 23 physicians separated from the network,
including 18 who retired or otherwise left practices that remain
affiliated with the Company.

-- As of March 31, 2008, 35 physicians had executed agreements to join the
US Oncology network under CSA and OPS agreements and are expected to
begin practicing under these agreements in 2008. Also, as of March 31,
three integrated cancer centers were under construction and are
expected to begin providing patient care in the second quarter of 2008.
An additional 30 physicians signed either CSA or OPS agreements during
April, 2008 to join the US Oncology network.

Bruce Broussard, chief executive officer stated, "We continue to focus our
efforts on generating and increasing cash flow. We generated $50.9 million in
cash flow during the first quarter of 2008, and currently have approximately
$148 million of cash on hand and over $130 million in availability under our
revolving line of credit. We continue to believe our financial position
provides the flexibility to make long-term investments that allow the company
to take advantage of opportunities in the cancer care system and implement our
strategies.
We have made nearly $400 million in capital investments since our merger
in 2004 that have broadened our revenue sources. At that time, radiation
oncology, diagnostics and pharmaceutical services generated 30 percent of our
cash flow, while today those services, along with new service offerings,
represent approximately 75 percent of our cash flow. These investments have
provided a stronger financial base while advancing our integrated care model.
'Advancing Cancer Care in America' continues to be our mission. Over the
past several years, we have broadened our scope of services to better support
practices in their delivery of patient-focused care, including the
physician-led development of our Cancer Care Management program and Clinical
Pathways initiatives. We have also made investments in information technology
(including our electronic medical record, iKnowMed), our centralized
reimbursement services, our pharmaceutical distribution system and our
research program.
We anticipate increased cash flow from the above investments due to:
-- Improving existing operations through expanded capacity and improving
the patient experience, while lowering operating costs through our
practice quality and efficiency program.

-- Growing market share through affiliation with new practices in both
existing and new markets.

-- Expanding targeted offerings from pharmaceutical-only relationships to
include reimbursement services and managed care contracting.

-- Launching our Cancer Care Management program nationwide to expand our
value proposition to payers.

-- Leveraging our research leadership position, to launch programs to
support the growth in personalized medicine."

Results of Operations
The Company operates and manages its business through four operating
segments. The table below compares the results of the first quarter of 2008
to the results of the corresponding period of the prior year and the preceding
quarter (in millions).
Q1 Q1 % Q4 %
2008 2007 Change 2007 Change
Revenue
Medical oncology services $552.8 $521.9 5.9 $529.4 4.4
Cancer center services 90.1 84.3 6.9 87.1 3.4
Pharmaceutical services 610.6 541.4 12.8 599.7 1.8
Research and other 13.0 13.0 - 12.3 5.7
Eliminations(1) (455.9) (428.6) (6.4) (456.9) 0.2
Total $810.6 $732.0 10.7 $771.6 5.1

Adjusted EBITDA(3)
Medical oncology services $18.6 $24.8 (25.0) $19.3 (3.6)
Cancer center services 31.1 29.5 5.4 29.9 4.0
Pharmaceutical services 22.7 22.4 1.3 29.4 (22.8)
Research and other (0.9) 0.5 nm(4) (0.3) nm(4)
Corporate costs(2) (19.4) (20.0) 3.0 (20.3) 4.4
Total $52.1 $57.2 (8.9) $58.0 (10.2)

Operating cash flow $50.9 $23.7 nm(4) $74.2 (31.4)

(1) Eliminations represent the sale of pharmaceuticals from our
distribution center (pharmaceutical services segment) to our practices
affiliated under comprehensive service agreements (medical oncology
segment).
(2) Corporate costs relate primarily to general and administrative
expenses in support of our network.
(3) Impairment and restructuring charges, other expense and the loss on
debt extinguishment are excluded from Adjusted EBITDA.
(4) Not meaningful.

Medical Oncology Services
In the first quarter of 2008, medical oncology services revenue increased
$30.9 million, or 5.9 percent, from the first quarter of 2007. The revenue
increase reflects an increase in daily visits and growth in our network of
affiliated medical oncologists. Partially offsetting the increase in daily
visits was a reduction in the utilization of supportive care drugs. Compared
to the first quarter of 2007, Adjusted EBITDA decreased $6.2 million which
relates primarily to a reduction in earnings from the use of supportive care
drugs by affiliated medical oncologists, along with a $1.7 million decrease
attributable to our program to promote continued support of pharmaceutical
services initiatives.
Compared to the fourth quarter of 2007, medical oncology services revenue
increased $23.4 million, or 4.4 percent which reflects new affiliations during
the first quarter of 2008. Adjusted EBITDA decreased $0.7 million from the
fourth quarter of 2007 as reduced earnings from supportive care drugs and
management fee reductions more than offset earnings from recent affiliations.
Cancer Center Services
Cancer center services revenue in the first quarter of 2008 was
$90.1 million, an increase of $5.8 million, or 6.9 percent, and Adjusted
EBITDA was $31.1 million, an increase of $1.6 million, or 5.4 percent, over
the first quarter of 2007. These increases reflect increasing diagnostic
scans over the same period in the prior year. Additionally, radiation volumes
continue to shift toward advanced targeted radiation therapies, such as image
guided radiation therapy ("IGRT") administered by network physicians, which
are reimbursed at higher rates than conventional radiation therapy.
First quarter cancer center services revenue increased $3.0 million, or
3.4 percent, and Adjusted EBITDA increased $1.2 million, or 4.0 percent from
the fourth quarter of 2007 reflecting the contribution of results from newly
affiliated practices and increased revenue associated with advanced radiation
therapies.
Pharmaceutical Services
Pharmaceutical services revenue in the first quarter of 2008 was
$610.6 million, an increase of $69.2 million, or 12.8 percent, over the first
quarter of 2007. The revenue increase is primarily due to the net addition of
170 medical oncologists affiliated through comprehensive service and oncology
pharmaceutical services ("OPS") agreements since the close of the first
quarter of 2007. Since the first quarter of 2007, our network of affiliated
medical oncologists has grown by 16 percent. The addition of physicians was
partially offset by lower utilization of certain supportive care drugs due to
coverage restrictions and safety concerns. Pharmaceutical services Adjusted
EBITDA was $22.7 million for the first quarter of 2008, an increase of
$0.3 million over the first quarter of 2007.
Pharmaceutical services revenue in the first quarter of 2008 increased
$10.9 million, or 1.8 percent, and Adjusted EBITDA decreased $6.7 million from
the preceding quarter. The revenue increase is due to the net addition of
48 affiliated medical oncologists during the quarter, as well as increased
revenue from our oral oncology specialty pharmacy, OncologyRX CareAdvantage.
The pharmaceutical services Adjusted EBITDA decrease of $6.7 million from the
fourth quarter of 2007 is due to performance fees earned in the fourth quarter
of 2007 that did not recur in the current quarter and lower utilization of
supportive care drugs. Also, our OPS business faced margin pressures and
increased credit risk during the first quarter of 2008.
Corporate Costs
Corporate costs, which represent general and administrative expenses,
excluding stock-based compensation, were $19.4 million in the first quarter of
2008, compared to $20.0 million in the first quarter of 2007. The decrease of
$0.6 million is due primarily to lower personnel costs as well as the
completion of our financial information system upgrade that took place during
2007.
Compared to the fourth quarter of 2007, corporate costs decreased
$0.9 million which reflects personnel reductions and management of avoidable
expenses.
Impairment and Restructuring Charges and Other Expense
During the past several years, we have become less dependent on our
medical oncology segment as a source of earnings. Also, during the first
quarter of 2008, earnings were negatively impacted by price increases from
manufacturers of supportive care drugs. Further, safety concerns regarding
the use of these drugs continue to impact the utilization of these drugs by
our affiliated physicians. (See additional discussion in "Contingencies and
Risks".) These factors, along with lower market valuations resulting from
unstable credit markets, led us to conclude that a goodwill impairment charge
related to our medical oncology services segment was required as of March 31,
2008. As of December 31, 2007, goodwill related to our medical oncology
services segment amounted to approximately $409 million and we believe a
substantial portion of this amount will result in a non-cash charge in the
first quarter of 2008. We currently estimate the charge will range from
$375 million to $409 million (a complete impairment of goodwill related to our
medical oncology segment). We initially recognized this goodwill on our
balance sheet as a result of the purchase price allocation performed in
connection with the merger transaction in August 2004.
To quantify the impairment of goodwill related to our medical oncology
services segment, we are required to estimate a value that would be allocated
to goodwill in a hypothetical purchase transaction using an estimate of the
segment's fair value as the purchase price. This estimation process also
requires the identification and valuation of intangible assets that have
either increased in value or have been created through Company initiatives and
investments. Any value assigned to identified intangible assets reduces the
amount attributable to goodwill.
In addition to the goodwill impairment charge, we recognized restructuring
and other charges which relate primarily to employee severance costs amounting
to $1.3 million in the first quarter of 2008. These amounts are excluded from
Adjusted EBITDA.
During the first quarter of 2008 and fourth quarter of 2007 we also
recognized an unrealized loss of $16.0 million and $11.6 million,
respectively, related to the Company's interest rate swap, due to decreasing
LIBOR rates. Because the interest rate swap is not accounted for as a cash
flow hedge, changes in the fair value of the instrument are reported currently
in earnings. Although cash flow hedge accounting is no longer applied to the
interest rate swap, the Company believes the swap, economically, remains a
hedge against the variability of interest payments on a portion of its
outstanding floating rate debt. The non-cash charge on the interest rate swap
is excluded from Adjusted EBITDA.
Cash Flow
During the first quarter of 2008, operating cash flow was $50.9 million,
compared to $23.7 million in the first quarter of 2007. The increase is
primarily due to improved receivable collections and the election to pay
interest due March 15, 2008 on the Holdings notes, in kind. Operating cash
flow decreased $23.3 million from $74.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2007
due to payments made to physicians, earned in 2007 under programs that
encourage their efficient use of capital and services in our pharmaceutical
services segment, as well as semi-annual interest payments on the indebtedness
of US Oncology.
As of May 6, 2008, the Company had $148.0 million of cash and investments,
and availability under the revolving credit facility of $133.7 million.
Development
One of the Company's ongoing objectives is to expand our network by
affiliating with practices in new or existing markets, recruiting physicians
into existing affiliated practices and entering into joint ventures. In the
first quarter of 2008, our network grew by 48 physicians, net of retirements
and other separations. During the same period, agreements were signed with 35
physicians to begin practicing in our network. An additional 30 physicians
signed either CSA or OPS agreements during April, 2008 to join the US Oncology
network.
Contingencies and Risks
During the fourth quarter of 2005, we received a subpoena from the United
States Department of Justice's Civil Litigation Division ("DOJ") requesting a
broad range of information about us and our business, generally in relation to
our contracts and relationships with pharmaceutical manufacturers. We are
cooperating fully with the DOJ in responding to the subpoena. At the present
time, the DOJ has not made any allegation of wrongdoing on the part of the
Company. We cannot, however, provide assurance that such an allegation or
litigation will not result from this investigation.
On April 18, 2006, the Company terminated its net revenue model
comprehensive service agreement with a practice in Oklahoma, as a result of
alleged breaches of that agreement by the practice. The practice accounted
for 4.6 percent and 2.3 percent of the Company's revenue and Adjusted EBITDA,
respectively, for the first quarter of 2006. The Company remains in
litigation with this practice regarding termination of its service agreement.
As a result of the practice's alleged breaches of that agreement and the
litigation, we were unable to collect payments on receivables owned by us and
other amounts owed by the practice on a timely basis. At March 31, 2008, the
total amount owed to us for those receivables of $22.5 million is reflected on
our balance sheet as other assets. We intend to pursue the claims we incurred
as a result of terminating this service agreement. We also intend to defend
against the practice's allegations that we breached the agreement and that the
agreement is unenforceable. As with any complex litigation, the process
necessary to resolve this claim may take several years.
During March 2007, the Company became aware that it and one of its
affiliated practices are the subject of allegations that the practice may have
engaged in activities that violate the Federal False Claims Act. These
allegations are contained in a qui tam complaint, commonly referred to as a
"whistle-blower" lawsuit. The details of this suit are not publicly available
or disclosable at the current time since qui tam complaints are filed on a
confidential basis with a United States federal court. The DOJ has not made a
decision on the merits of the whistle-blower's claim. The Company intends to
continue to investigate and vigorously defend itself against this claim.
Based upon its present understanding of the nature and scope of the claim and
investigation, the Company does not expect this claim to have a material
adverse effect on its operations or financial condition, however our
expectation could change as we receive more information.
On July 30, 2007, CMS issued a national coverage decision ("NCD")
establishing criteria for reimbursement by Medicare for ESA usage which is
expected to continue to lead to a significant decline in utilization of these
drugs by oncologists, including those affiliated with US Oncology. The
Oncology Drug Advisory Committee of the FDA ("ODAC") met on March 13, 2008, to
further consider the use of ESAs in oncology. While ODAC recommended keeping
chemotherapy-induced anemia as a labeled indication for ESAs, the Committee
also supported positions that, if adopted by FDA, would reduce ESA usage. In
particular, ODAC recommended that ESA use not be indicated in patients
receiving "potentially curative" treatments or in patients with metastatic
breast cancer and/or cancers of the head and neck. The Committee voted
against a number of other proposed restrictions and against imposing a
restricted distribution system for ESAs. ODAC is an advisory committee of the
FDA. While the FDA often follows the recommendations of its advisory
committees, it is not required to do so. It is expected that the FDA will
consider these and other recommendations and could make additional changes to
the ESA label during the second quarter of 2008. In addition, affiliated
physicians may already be changing their ESA use as a result of concerns
raised by ODAC, and the USON network is active in reviewing evidence and
adopting appropriate treatment guidelines. During the first quarter of 2008,
$10.2 million of the Company's Adjusted EBITDA was attributable to utilization
of ESAs by our network physicians.
Based upon continued uncertainty surrounding ESA utilization, including
with respect to physician utilization practices, possible FDA action and other
factors, the Company is withdrawing its previously issued EBITDA guidance and
is not currently in a position to issue revised guidance for 2008. The
Company and US Oncology will broadcast the 2008 first quarter financial
results by conference call on Thursday, May 8, 2008 at 10:00 A.M. Central
Daylight Time. The archived replay of the event will be available through the
news center on the Company's Web site (http://www.usoncology.com).
About US Oncology, Inc.
US Oncology, headquartered in Houston, Texas, supports one of the nation's
largest cancer treatment and research networks. US Oncology provides extensive
services and support to its affiliated cancer care sites nationwide to help
them expand their offering of the most advanced treatments and technologies,
build integrated community-based cancer care centers, improve their
therapeutic drug management programs and participate in many of the new
cancer-related clinical research studies. US Oncology is affiliated with
1,247 physicians operating in 472 locations, including 91 radiation oncology
facilities in 39 states.
This news release contains forward-looking statements, including
statements that include the words "believes," "expects," "anticipates,"
"estimates," "intends," "plans," "projects," or similar expressions and
statements regarding our prospects. All statements other than statements of
historical fact included in this news release are forward-looking statements.
Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such
statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations
will prove to have been correct. Such expectations are subject to risks and
uncertainties, including the Company's reliance on pharmaceuticals for the
majority of its revenues, the Company's ability to maintain favorable
pharmaceutical pricing and favorable relationships with pharmaceutical
manufacturers and other vendors, concentration of pharmaceutical purchasing
and favorable pricing with a limited number of vendors, prescription drug
reimbursement, such as reimbursement for ESAs, and other reimbursement under
Medicare (including reimbursement for radiation and diagnostic services),
reimbursement for medical services by non-governmental payers and
cost-containment efforts by such payers, including whether such payers adopt
coverage guidelines regarding ESAs that are similar to Medicare coverage,
other changes in the manner patient care is reimbursed or administered, the
Company's ability to service its substantial indebtedness and comply with
related covenants in debt agreements, the Company's ability to obtain
amendments to its credit facility financial covenants on terms acceptable to
it, the Company's ability to fund its operations through operating cash flow
or utilization of its existing credit facility or its ability to obtain
additional financing on acceptable terms, the Company's ability to implement
strategic initiatives, the Company's ability to maintain good relationships
with existing practices and expand into new markets and development of
existing markets, modifications to, and renegotiation of, existing economic
arrangements, the Company's ability to complete cancer centers and PET
facilities currently in development and its ability to recover investments in
cancer centers, government regulation and enforcement, increases in the cost
of providing cancer treatment services and the operations of the Company's
affiliated physician practices. Please refer to the US Oncology Holdings, Inc.
filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007, and subsequent
filings, for a more extensive discussion of factors that could cause actual
results to differ materially from the Company's expectations.
Discussion of Non-GAAP Information
In this release, the Company uses the term "EBITDA" and "Adjusted EBITDA".
EBITDA is earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization
(including amortization of stock compensation), minority interest expense and
other income (expense). EBITDA is not calculated in accordance with
accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America
("GAAP"). Adjusted EBITDA is EBITDA before loss on early extinguishment of
debt and impairment and restructuring charges. These measures are derived
from relevant items in the Company's GAAP financial statements. A
reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to operating cash flow is included in this
release.
The Company believes EBITDA is useful to investors in evaluating the value
of companies in general, and in evaluating the liquidity of companies with
debt service obligations and their ability to service their indebtedness.
Management uses EBITDA as a key indicator to evaluate liquidity and financial
condition, both with respect to the business as a whole and with respect to
individual sites in the US Oncology network. Adjusted EBITDA is useful to
investors as it eliminates certain amounts that are unusual in nature and not
currently expected to be part of the Company's ongoing operational
performance. The Company's senior secured credit facility also requires that
it comply on a quarterly basis with certain financial covenants that include
Adjusted EBITDA as a financial measure. Management believes that EBITDA and
Adjusted EBITDA are useful to investors, since they provide investors with
additional information that is not directly available in a GAAP presentation.
As a non-GAAP measure, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA should not be viewed as
alternatives to the Company's GAAP financial statements, but should be read as
a supplement to, and in conjunction with, the Company's GAAP financial
statements.

US ONCOLOGY HOLDINGS, INC.
KEY OPERATING STATISTICS
(unaudited)

Q1 Q1 % Q4 %
2008 2007 Change 2007 Change
Physician Summary:
Medical oncologists 743 685 8.5% 705 5.4%
Radiation oncologists 154 148 4.1 146 5.5
Other physicians 54 44 22.7 52 3.8
Total CSA physicians 951 877 8.4 903 5.3

OPS physicians 296 200 48.0 296 -
Total physicians 1,247 1,077 15.8 1,199 4.0

Daily Operating Statistics:
Medical oncology visits (1) 10,572 9,806 7.8 10,224 3.4
Radiation treatments/ diagnostic
scans (2)(4) 3,685 3,614 2.0 3,680 0.1

Daily Same Store Statistics:
Medical oncology visits (1) 9,872 9,551 3.4 9,857 0.2
Radiation treatments/ diagnostic
scans (2)(4) 3,449 3,495 (1.3) 3,461 (0.3)

Other Statistics:
Radiation oncology facilities(3)(4) 91 90 1.1 88 3.4

PET systems 34 34 - 34 -

New patients enrolled in research
studies during the period 996 761 30.9 809 23.1

Accounts receivable days outstanding 34 37 (8.1) 33 3.0

Notes to Key Operating Statistics:
(1) Medical oncology visits include information for practices affiliated
under comprehensive service agreements only, and do not include the
results of OPS practices.
(2) Represents technology-based treatments, including IMRT treatments
and diagnostic scans, provided through our integrated cancer centers
and radiation-only facilities.
(3) The first quarter of 2008 includes 79 integrated cancer centers and 12
radiation-only facilities while the first quarter of 2007 includes 79
integrated cancer centers and 11 radiation-only facilities. The
fourth quarter of 2007 includes 77 integrated cancer centers and 11
radiation-only facilities.
(4) Radiation treatments/diagnostic scans and facilities do not include
cancer centers operated by unconsolidated joint ventures in which the
Company or an affiliated practice has a financial interest.

US ONCOLOGY HOLDINGS, INC.
RECONCILIATION OF ADJUSTED EBITDA TO CASH FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
(in thousands)
(unaudited)

Three Months Ended Three Months Ended
March 31, December 31,
2008 2007 2007

Adjusted EBITDA (1) $52,112 $57,217 $58,034

Changes in assets and liabilities 36,831 (835) 45,954
Deferred income tax provision (10,040) (2,236) (699)
Interest expense, net (36,279) (31,025) (36,913)
Income tax benefit 8,256 609 7,869

Net cash provided by operating
activities $50,880 $23,730 $74,245

(1) US Oncology Holdings incurs certain general and administrative costs
that are incremental to the amounts incurred by US Oncology. During
the quarters ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 and the quarter ended
December 31, 2007, these expenses were $51 thousand, $41 thousand
and $(21) thousand, respectively, of general and administrative
costs, and are not included in the determination of US Oncology
Adjusted EBITDA of $52.1 million, $57.2 million and $58.0 million,
respectively, for these periods.

US ONCOLOGY HOLDINGS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
(unaudited)

Three Months Ended
March 31,
2008 2007
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash provided by operating activities $50,880 $23,730
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment 2,097 750
Acquisition of property and equipment (23,624) (17,427)
Designation of restricted cash (500) -
Investment in unconsolidated subsidiaries 171 -
Payments made in practice affiliation transactions (36,071) -
Distributions from minority interests 511 -
Net cash used in investing activities (57,416) (16,677)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from senior floating rate PIK toggle notes,
net of issue costs - 413,300
Proceeds from other indebtedness - 665
Repayment of senior floating rate notes - (256,766)
Repayment of term loan (1,232) (3,791)
Repayment of other indebtedness (341) (369)
Payment of dividends on preferred stock - (25,000)
Payment of dividends on common stock - (323,580)
Debt financing costs (16) -
Distributions to minority interests (768) (994)
Proceeds from exercise of options 25 517
Net cash used in financing activities (2,332) (196,018)

Decrease in cash and equivalents (8,868) (188,965)
Cash and equivalents:
Beginning of period 149,257 281,768
End of period $140,389 $92,803

SOURCE US Oncology Holdings, Inc.

Kevin Krenzke, Vice President - Finance of US Oncology Holdings, Inc.,
+1-832-601-6197, kevin.krenzke@usoncology.com