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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001249013-04-000065.txt : 20040407
<SEC-HEADER>0001249013-04-000065.hdr.sgml : 20040407
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040407184315
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001249013-04-000065
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040405
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040407

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BOWLUS BRADFORD A
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001209505

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-31700
		FILM NUMBER:		04723244

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		5995 PLAZA DR
		CITY:			CYPRESS
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			90630

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			PACIFICARE HEALTH SYSTEMS INC /DE/
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001027974
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	HOSPITAL & MEDICAL SERVICE PLANS [6324]
		IRS NUMBER:				954591529
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0930

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		3120 LAKE CENTER DRIVE
		CITY:			SANTA ANA
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			92704
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7148255200

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		3120 LAKE CENTER DRIVE
		CITY:			SANTA ANA
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			92704

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	N T HOLDINGS INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19961204
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgardoc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
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<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-04-05</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

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        <issuerName>PACIFICARE HEALTH SYSTEMS INC /DE/</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>PHS</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

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            <rptOwnerName>BOWLUS BRADFORD A</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>5995 PLAZA DRIVE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>CYPRESS</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>90630</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
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        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Pres &amp; CEO, Health Plan Div</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

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                <value>Common Stock</value>
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                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
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        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
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            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>4000</value>
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                <transactionPricePerShare>
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                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
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            <postTransactionAmounts>
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                    <value>728</value>
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            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
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                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>By 401(k) plan</value>
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    <derivativeTable>
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            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
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            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-04-05</value>
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                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
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                    <value>110200</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
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                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
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                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>107000</value>
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            <transactionDate>
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            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
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                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>1000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
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                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
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            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
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                    <value>1000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
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            <postTransactionAmounts>
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    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Exercise of stock option granted under the 1996 Stock Option Plan for Officers and Key Employees of PacifiCare Health Systems, Inc., as amended in a transaction exempt under Rule 16b-3.  The stock option exercise was made pursuant to the reporting person's 10b5-1 plan.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Bowlus, Bradford A</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-04-07</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
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