AMN Healthcare Services Inc. (NYSE: AHS), the largest U.S. healthcare staffing firm, reported third-quarter revenue fell 47.2% to $166.4 million from $315.0 million in the year-ago quarter.

Nurse and allied healthcare staffing revenue fell 62.2% on a year-over-year basis in the third quarter to $82.1 million. Physician permanent placement revenue fell 30.6% in the third-quarter to $8.7 million. And third-quarter locum tenens revenue fell 11.5% to $75.5 million.

"The unprecedented market contraction experienced by the healthcare staffing industry over the past year is a direct reflection of the rapid rise to historically high levels of general unemployment," President and CEO Susan Nowakowski said. "The decline in volumes we experienced during the first nine months of 2009 have certainly highlighted the importance of our ability to remain agile and disciplined in our execution."

Third-quarter gross margin, however, improved to 27.4% from 25.7% in the third quarter of last year.

AMN posted a third-quarter net loss of $2.0 million compared to net income of $9.5 million in the same period last year. The most-recent quarter included a restructuring charge of $6.2 million.

Fourth-quarter revenue is estimated to decline 10% to 15% compared with the third quarter, according to the company.

AMN Healthcare Services Inc. (NYSE: AHS)
For the third quarter ended Sept. 30, 2009, compared with the same period in 2008.
Revenue: $166.4 million, -47.2%
Net loss: $2.0 million vs. net income of $9.5 million