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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,
 LFGanKNCCssl5Qqmg3gRW5QArF7bGYAnNvZCUCBocQyCHHWgEYyK3dFn9Kq9EkxZ
 y1acv/N4sQcBl2FQfSISFQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001200952-04-000160.txt : 20040305
<SEC-HEADER>0001200952-04-000160.hdr.sgml : 20040305
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040305092918
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001200952-04-000160
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040303
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040305

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			NIERENBERG DAVID
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001040899

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-13485
		FILM NUMBER:		04650310

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		19605 N E 8TH STREET
		CITY:			CAMAS
		STATE:			WA
		ZIP:			98607
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3606048600

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>b4496dn_ex.xml
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-03-03</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001040899</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>NIERENBERG DAVID</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>19605 N E 8TH STREET</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>CAMAS</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>WA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>98607</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Shares</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1340700</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Nierenberg Investment Management Company is the General Partner of the D3 Family Funds and David Nierenberg has sole dispositive power for all 1,340,700 shares which are held in four funds as follows:  D3 Family Fund, LP 924,002; D3 Family Retirement Fund, LP  286,986; D3 Cildren's Fund 65,800; and D3 Offshore Fund 63,912.  These funds have agreed to file jointly.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>DAVID NIERENBERG</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-03-04</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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