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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 WzsmLdW+0mC4WCzs7WqzhreUcmXbs1b6WYDSzLm4Yt7JgDc2ia/3rVirj+q9fSin
 widmKydHjd4bn/1h1sD9CQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001140361-08-026608.txt : 20081125
<SEC-HEADER>0001140361-08-026608.hdr.sgml : 20081125
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20081125171030
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001140361-08-026608
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20081125
FILED AS OF DATE:		20081125
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20081125

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MACKEY BRUCE J JR
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001242035

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-16817
		FILM NUMBER:		081214611

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O REIT MANAGEMENT & RESEARCH LLC
		STREET 2:		400 CENTRE STREET
		CITY:			NEWTON
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			02458-2076
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6179281300

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			FIVE STAR QUALITY CARE INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001159281
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SERVICES-SKILLED NURSING CARE FACILITIES [8051]
		IRS NUMBER:				043516029
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		400 CENTRE STREET
		CITY:			NEWTON
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			02458
		BUSINESS PHONE:		617 796 8387

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		400 CENTRE ST
		CITY:			NEWTON
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			02458
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>doc1.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2008-11-25</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001159281</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>FIVE STAR QUALITY CARE INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>FVE</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001242035</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>MACKEY BRUCE J JR</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O REIT MANAGEMENT &amp; RESEARCH LLC</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>400 CENTRE STREET</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEWTON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>02458</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>President, CEO &amp; Secretary</officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2008-11-25</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <deemedExecutionDate></deemedExecutionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>17500</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>1.07</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>167518.2</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable></derivativeTable>

    <footnotes></footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Bruce J. Mackey Jr.</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-11-25</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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