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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,
 KLPCin7mVT/aX6/OkoPvZfnR54yU9RQb4e1awYkUuStDkTde2GXCTSqcF3NFH8EJ
 aq+wAJ6v4x4PjWUWWFjxaw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001209191-04-027343.txt : 20040524
<SEC-HEADER>0001209191-04-027343.hdr.sgml : 20040524
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040524105757
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001209191-04-027343
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040501
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040524

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Brumfield Steven Richard
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001289801

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-31320
		FILM NUMBER:		04825756

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6153701377

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		105 WESTWOOD PLACE, SUITE 400
		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>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>bna88957_bna07sb.xml
<DESCRIPTION>MAIN DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-05-01</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001044942</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>PROVINCE HEALTHCARE CO</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>PRV</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001289801</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Brumfield Steven Richard</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>105 WESTWOOD PLACE, SUITE 400</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>BRENTWOOD</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>TN</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>37027</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Asst. VP and Controller</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>15.95</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2005-02-23</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2014-02-23</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>4000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>15.83</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2005-04-19</value>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2014-04-19</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>5000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">800 options vest on each of 2/23/2005, 2/23/2006, 2/23/2007, 2/23/2008 and 2/23/2009.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">1,000 options vest on each of 4/19/2005, 4/19/2006, 4/19/2007, 4/19/2008 and 4/19/2009.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Steven R. Brumfield</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-05-21</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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