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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 Gg3PYRTBnyGBVPE+FHyt1xnjXMoOdkBNBFPyqUhLRi20RiF/FYySmYI5biuEEBYq
 d+ae4w+UXaRsKGSt0N4PMQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001179110-03-012376.txt : 20031211
<SEC-HEADER>0001179110-03-012376.hdr.sgml : 20031211
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20031211171142
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001179110-03-012376
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20031209
FILED AS OF DATE:		20031211

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			EXTENDED STAY AMERICA INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001002579
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	HOTELS & MOTELS [7011]
		IRS NUMBER:				363996573
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		100 DUNBAR ST
		CITY:			SPARTANBURG
		STATE:			SC
		ZIP:			29306
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8645731600

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			TATHAM PATRICIA
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001242392

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-13125
		FILM NUMBER:		031050049

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		101 NORTH PINE STREET
		CITY:			SPARTANBURG
		STATE:			SC
		ZIP:			29302
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3128074280
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4 -
<TEXT>
<XML>
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>
<periodOfReport>2003-12-09</periodOfReport>
<notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>
    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001002579</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>EXTENDED STAY AMERICA INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>ESA</issuerTradingSymbol>
</issuer>
<reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001242392</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>TATHAM PATRICIA</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O EXTENDED STAY AMERICA, INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>100 DUNBAR STREET</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SPARTANBURG</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>SC</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>29306</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
<isDirector>0</isDirector>
<isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
<isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
<isOther>0</isOther>
<officerTitle>VP and Corporate Controller</officerTitle>
<otherText></otherText>
</reportingOwnerRelationship>
</reportingOwner>
<nonDerivativeTable></nonDerivativeTable>
<derivativeTable><derivativeTransaction><securityTitle><value>Employee Stock Option (right to buy)</value>
</securityTitle>
<conversionOrExercisePrice><value>13.745</value>
</conversionOrExercisePrice>
<transactionDate><value>2003-12-09</value>
</transactionDate>
<transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
<transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
<equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
</transactionCoding>
<transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>16171</value>
</transactionShares>
<transactionPricePerShare><value>0</value>
</transactionPricePerShare>
<transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>A</value>
</transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
</transactionAmounts>
<exerciseDate><value>2004-12-09</value>
<footnoteId id="F1"></footnoteId>
</exerciseDate>
<expirationDate><value>2013-12-09</value>
</expirationDate>
<underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common Stock</value>
</underlyingSecurityTitle>
<underlyingSecurityShares><value>16171</value>
</underlyingSecurityShares>
</underlyingSecurity>
<postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>16171</value>
</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
</postTransactionAmounts>
<ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value>
</directOrIndirectOwnership>
</ownershipNature>
</derivativeTransaction>
</derivativeTable>
<footnotes><footnote id="F1">Grant to reporting person of option to buy shares of common stock under the Extended Stay America, Inc. 1998 Employee Stock Option Plan in a transaction exempt under Rule 16b-3(c).  The option becomes exercisable in 25 percent increments on the first, second, third, and fourth anniversaries of the grant date, respectively.</footnote>
</footnotes>
<ownerSignature><signatureName>/s/ Patricia Tatham</signatureName>
<signatureDate>2003-12-11</signatureDate>
</ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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