-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 TO2rhiKirHe578Dqy7PEZfMcZNV2305OdqC0xP4FFN4chDCWGSqYtS73ZU+IzdNA
 G9A5ozFKyBOZYsCVK1h6kg==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001104659-04-006673.txt : 20040308
<SEC-HEADER>0001104659-04-006673.hdr.sgml : 20040308
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040308142524
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001104659-04-006673
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040211
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040308

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			GUNST ROBERT A
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001247930

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-13485
		FILM NUMBER:		04654448

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		10421 WATERIDGE CIRCLE
		STREET 2:		STE 250
		CITY:			SAN DIEGO
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			92121
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8589091200

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			AMERICAN RESIDENTIAL INVESTMENT TRUST INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001035744
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS [6798]
		IRS NUMBER:				330741174
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			MD
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		445 MARINE VIEW AVE SUITE 230
		STREET 2:		STE 260
		CITY:			DEL MAR
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			92014
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6193505008

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		445 MARINE VIEW AVE SUITE 230
		CITY:			DEL MAR
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			92014
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>a3.xml
<DESCRIPTION>3
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-02-11</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001035744</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>AMERICAN RESIDENTIAL INVESTMENT TRUST INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>INV</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001247930</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>GUNST ROBERT A</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>10421 WATERIDGE CIRCLE, SUITE 250</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SAN DIEGO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>92121</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Robert A. Gunst</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-03-08</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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