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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,
 QAocxpPCfHmj8Pn1Et3O708jD6mf890084RaIUlHU+gaKw+nyCpBE9IuFxIuMSwg
 6rI0JVhdvC3gg+rmk2uuVQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001209191-03-032614.txt : 20031128
<SEC-HEADER>0001209191-03-032614.hdr.sgml : 20031127
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20031128165944
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001209191-03-032614
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20031125
FILED AS OF DATE:		20031128

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			RUTLEDGE JOHN M
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001057318

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-31320
		FILM NUMBER:		031028781

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		109 WESTPARK DR
		STREET 2:		STE 180
		CITY:			BRENTWOOD
		STATE:			TN
		ZIP:			37027

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		109 WESTPARK DR
		STREET 2:		STE 180
		CITY:			BRENTWOOD
		STATE:			TN
		ZIP:			37027

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			PROVINCE HEALTHCARE CO
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001044942
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SERVICES-GENERAL MEDICAL & SURGICAL HOSPITALS, NEC [8062]
		IRS NUMBER:				621710772
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		105 WESTPARK DR
		STREET 2:		STE 400
		CITY:			BRENTWOOD
		STATE:			TN
		ZIP:			37027
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6153701377

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		105 WESTPARK DR
		STREET 2:		SUITE 180
		CITY:			BRENTWOOD
		STATE:			TN
		ZIP:			37207
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>bna86133_bna01jr.xml
<DESCRIPTION>MAIN DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?><ownershipDocument><schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>    <documentType>4</documentType><periodOfReport>2003-11-25</periodOfReport><notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16><issuer><issuerCik>0001044942</issuerCik><issuerName>PROVINCE HEALTHCARE CO</issuerName>        <issuerTradingSymbol>PRV</issuerTradingSymbol></issuer><reportingOwner><reportingOwnerId><rptOwnerCik>0001057318</rptOwnerCik><rptOwnerName>RUTLEDGE JOHN M</rptOwnerName></reportingOwnerId><reportingOwnerAddress><rptOwnerStreet1>109 WESTPARK DR</rptOwnerStreet1><rptOwnerStreet2>STE 180</rptOwnerStreet2><rptOwnerCity>BRENTWOOD</rptOwnerCity><rptOwnerState>TN</rptOwnerState><rptOwnerZipCode>37027</rptOwnerZipCode><rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription></reportingOwnerAddress><reportingOwnerRelationship><isDirector>1</isDirector><isOfficer>1</isOfficer><isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner><isOther>0</isOther><officerTitle>President &amp; COO</officerTitle></reportingOwnerRelationship></reportingOwner><n
onDerivativeTable><nonDerivativeTransaction><securityTitle><value>Common Stock</value></securityTitle><transactionDate><value>2003-11-25</value></transactionDate><transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType><transactionCode>S</transactionCode><equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved></transactionCoding><transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>182479</value><footnoteId id="F1" /></transactionShares><transactionPricePerShare><value>15.0696</value></transactionPricePerShare><transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>D</value></transactionAcquiredDisposedCode></transactionAmounts><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>0</value><footnoteId id="F2" /></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership></ownershipNature></nonDerivativeTransaction></nonDerivativeTable><footnotes><footnote id="F1">The shares were sold pursuant to a Rule 10b5-1(c) plan.</footnote><footnote id="F2
">The number of shares beneficially owned following the transaction has been updated to reflect shares acquired under the 1998 Employee Stock Purchase Plan.</footnote></footnotes><ownerSignature><signatureName>/s/ John M. Rutledge</signatureName><signatureDate>2003-11-26</signatureDate></ownerSignature></ownershipDocument>

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