i think so

i did this

explain plan
set statement_id='4' for
SELECT /*+ INDEX(table_name, indexname) */ * FROM table WHERE col LIKE '%SAM%'

i got this

4 15.11.01 10:55:29 SELECT STATEMENT
4 15.11.01 10:55:29 TABLE ACCESS BY INDEX ROWID
4 15.11.01 10:55:29 INDEX RANGE SCAN


Then i did

explain plan
set statement_id='5' for
SELECT * FROM table WHERE col LIKE '%SAM%'

and i got this

5 15.11.01 10:55:48 SELECT STATEMENT
5 15.11.01 10:55:48 TABLE ACCESS FULL

So i suppose it did use the index
Pls correct me if iam wrong..
Thanx
Sam