Scott, who told the Daily News in May he would return to the station after an extended vacation, will not. Instead he'll focus on his medical practice.

"I'd been dealing with taking extra vacation to pursue medical endeavors," Scott said yesterday. "I came to the realization that medicine had to be my major pursuit in the short term."

Scott, who specializes in sports medicine, said he's in the final stages of his education and has a fellowship at Robert Wood Johnson Hospital in Hamilton, N.J., that requires too much time to do both.

"I've been pursuing medicine and television now, together, for 13 straight years," Scott said. "There are no hard feelings between ABC and myself. This was very difficult. ABC has been with me throughout the years."

Scott's biography and picture have been removed from Ch. 7's Web site and news director Kenny Plotnik is seeking a replacement.

Plotnik would not comment on Scott's exit yesterday.

"Marvell has decided to leave WABC to focus on his medical practice and pursue other opportunities," a Ch. 7 spokesman said.

Scott's absence raised questions because he was away for so long, because it came during a key ratings period, and because in a business known for internal gossip, there was little discussion of what happened.

Scott said he has also fielded questions from athletes and his patients about where he's been.

"I wouldn't say there was fallout," he said, "just some deep soul-searching. When you go through situations, it's always a good thing. It forces you to reevaluate your life - personally, professionally and spiritually. When you put yourself in that position, you tend to come out knowing more about yourself."

He said he's not giving up on TV, just taking a break.

"I'm as excited and passionate about being a reporter and sportscaster as I have ever been," he said. "Sometimes you have to make a decision."