UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
[x] QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2004
OR
[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from _____ to ____________
Commission file number 333-37185
NATIONAL HEALTHCARE CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its Charter)
Delaware	52-2057472
(State or other jurisdiction of	(I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization	Identification No.)
100 Vine Street
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
(615) 890-2020
Registrant's telephone number, including area code
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant
(1) Has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d), of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months.
Yes     x	No
(2) Has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes     x	No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer. Yes x No
11,674,320 shares were outstanding as of October 31, 2004

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.  Financial Statements.
NATIONAL HEALTHCARE CORPORATION
INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Unaudited)
	Three Months Ended		Nine Months Ended
	September 30		September 30
	2004	2003	2004	2003
	(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
REVENUES:
Net patient revenues	$ 112,235	$ 105,928	$ 326,195	$ 311,774
Other revenues	15,881	13,158	44,602	36,533
Net revenues	128,116	119,086	370,797	348,307
COSTS AND EXPENSES:
Salaries, wages and benefits	68,007	64,801	200,049	188,699
Other operating	35,426	31,541	103,453	95,346
Rent	9,827	10,418	30,745	31,217
Depreciation and amortization	3,624	3,116	10,068	9,224
Interest	379	512	922	1,632
Total costs and expenses	117,263	110,388	345,237	326,118
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES	10,853	8,698	25,560	22,189
INCOME TAX PROVISION	(4,395)	(3,404)	(10,365)	(8,800)
NET INCOME	$ 6,458	$ 5,294	$ 15,195	$ 13,389
EARNINGS PER SHARE:
Basic	$ .55	$ .46	$ 1.30	$ 1.15
Diluted	$ .52	$ .44	$ 1.23	$ 1.11
WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING:
Basic	11,674,212	11,617,284	11,669,955	11,604,324
Diluted	12,432,498	12,058,725	12,325,124	12,062,353
COMMON DIVIDEND PER SHARE DECLARED	$ .125	$ ---	$ .375	$ ---

The accompanying notes to interim condensed consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements.

NATIONAL HEALTHCARE CORPORATION
INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands)
ASSETS
	September 30	December 31
	2004	2003
	(Unaudited)
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 58,585	$ 43,969
Restricted cash	56,501	61,419
Marketable securities	54,646	50,039
Accounts receivable, less allowance for
doubtful accounts of $7,638 and $6,751	53,113	40,315
Notes receivable	212	189
Notes receivable from related parties	---	2,857
Inventory at lower of cost (first-in,
first-out method) or market	5,309	5,041
Prepaid expenses and other assets	1,140	967
Total current assets	229,506	204,796
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT:
Property and equipment, at cost	224,600	203,133
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	(116,758)	(106,928)
Net property and equipment:	107,842	96,205
OTHER ASSETS:
Bond reserve funds, mortgage replacement reserves
and other deposits	105	129
Goodwill	3,033	3,033
Unamortized financing costs, net	343	467
Notes receivable	11,805	4,702
Notes receivable from related parties	10,002	27,509
Deferred income taxes	15,834	14,232
Minority equity investments and other	1,117	1,320
Total other assets	42,239	51,392
	$379,587	$352,393
The accompanying notes to interim condensed consolidated financial statements are an integral part
of these consolidated balance sheets.
The interim condensed consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2003 is taken from the audited
financial statements at that date.

NATIONAL HEALTHCARE CORPORATION
INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
LIABILITIES AND SHAREOWNERS' EQUITY
	September 30	December 31
	2004	2003
	(Unaudited)
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Current portion of long-term debt	$ 2,294	$ 2,876
Trade accounts payable	9,964	9,412
Accrued payroll	35,117	30,898
Amounts due to third-party payors	28,548	28,224
Accrued risk reserves	52,447	43,953
Deferred income taxes	5,267	3,932
Other current liabilities	16,594	12,445
Dividends payable	1,459	---
Accrued interest	280	69
Total current liabilities	151,970	131,809
LONG-TERM DEBT, LESS CURRENT PORTION	16,541	19,000
DEBT SERVICED BY OTHER PARTIES, LESS CURRENT PORTION	1,484	1,727
OTHER NONCURRENT LIABILITIES	12,163	17,132
DEFERRED LEASE CREDIT	5,652	6,245
MINORITY INTERESTS IN CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES	909	812
DEFERRED REVENUE	26,254	24,641
COMMITMENTS, CONTINGENCIES AND GUARANTEES
SHAREOWNERS' EQUITY:
Preferred stock, $.01 par value; 10,000,000 shares
authorized; none issued or outstanding	---	---
Common stock, $.01 par value; 30,000,000 shares
authorized; 11,674,320 and 11,662,805 shares,
respectively, issued and outstanding	116	116
Capital in excess of par value, less notes receivable	73,552	73,413
Retained earnings	72,608	61,791
Unrealized gains on marketable securities	18,338	15,707
Total shareowners' equity	164,614	151,027
	$379,587	$352,393

The accompanying notes to interim condensed consolidated financial statements are in integral part of these

consolidated balance sheets.

The interim condensed consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2003 is taken from the audited financial statements at

that date.

NATIONAL HEALTHCARE CORPORATION
INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
	Nine Months Ended
	September 30
	2004	2003
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:	(in thousands)
Net income	$ 15,195	$13,389
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation	9,830	9,154
Provision for doubtful accounts receivable	887	478
Amortization of intangibles and deferred charges	124	63
Amortization of deferred income	(473)	(384)
Deferred income	934	950
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated investments	(238)	(262)
Amortization of deferred lease credit	(593)	(599)
Deferred income taxes	(2,024)	(1,886)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(13,685)	(1,744)
Inventory	(268)	(15)
Prepaid expenses and other assets	(178)	(41)
Accounts payable	552	1,354
Accrued payroll	4,219	1,341
Amounts due to third party payors	324	(645)
Accrued interest	211	152
Other current liabilities and accrued reserves	12,643	15,119
Entrance fee deposits	1,152	1,608
Other non current liabilities	(4,969)	74
Net cash provided by operating activities	23,643	38,106
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Additions to and acquisitions of property and equipment, net	(21,467)	(17,638)
Investment in notes receivable	(8,644)	(45)
Collection of notes receivable	21,882	1,959
Sales of marketable securities, net	(219)	472
Distributions from unconsolidated investments	446	447
Net cash used in investing activities	(8,002)	(14,805)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
(Increase) decrease in restricted cash	4,918	(13,796)
Increase in minority interests in subsidiaries	97	102
(Increase) decrease in bond reserve funds, mortgage replacement reserves
and other deposits	24	(90)
Issuance of common shares	123	188
Dividends paid to shareowners	(2,919)	--
Collection of receivables	16	351
Payments on debt	(3,284)	(3,027)
Increase in financing costs	--	(167)
Net cash used in financing activities	(1,025)	(16,439)
NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	14,616	6,862
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD	43,969	50,492
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD	$ 58,585	$ 57,354
Supplemental Information:
Cash payments for interest expense	$ 711	$ 1,480
Cash payments for income taxes	$ 8,520	$ 8,139

The accompanying notes to interim condensed consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these consolidated statements.

NATIONAL HEALTHCARE CORPORATION
Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareowners' Equity
(in thousands, except share amounts)
(unaudited)
			Receivables			Unrealized	Total Share-
	Common Stock		from Sale	Paid in	Retained	Gains	owners'
	Shares	Amount	of Shares	Capital	Earnings	on Securities	Equity
Balance at 12/31/02	11,593,978	$115	$ (799)	$72,521	$41,839	$ 6,465	$120,141
Net income	---	---	---	---	13,389	---	13,389
Unrealized gains on securities (net of tax of $666)	---	---	---	---	--	2,405	2,405
Total Comprehensive Income							15,794
Shares sold	30,007	1	---	187	--	---	188
Collection of receivables	---	---	351	---	--	---	351
Balance at 9/30/03	11,623,985	$116	$ (448)	$72,708	$55,228	$ 8,870	$136,474
Balance at 12/31/03	11,662,805	$116	$ (16)	$73,429	$61,791	$ 15,707	$151,027
Net income	---	---	---	---	15,195	---	15,195
Unrealized gains on securities (net of tax of $1,757)	---	---	---	---	--	2,631	2,631
Total Comprehensive Income							17,826
Shares sold	11,515	---	---	123	--	---	123
Dividends paid to common shareowners
($.375 per share)	--	--	--	--	(4,378)	--	(4,378)
Collection of receivables	---	---	16	---	--	---	16
Balance at 9/30/04	11,674,320	$116	$ ---	$73,552	$72,608	$ 18,338	$164,614

The accompanying notes to interim condensed consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these consolidated statements.

Note 1 - CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The unaudited financial statements to which these notes are attached include, in our opinion, all adjustments which are necessary to fairly present the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of National HealthCare Corporation ("NHC" or the "Company"). We assume that users of these interim financial statements have read or have access to the audited December 31, 2003 financial statements and Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and that the adequacy of additional disclosure needed for a fair presentation, except in regard to material contingencies, may be determined in that context. Accordingly, footnotes and other disclosures which would substantially duplicate the disclosure contained in our most recent annual report to stockholders have been omitted. This interim financial information is not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for a full year for a variety of reasons. Our audited December 31, 2003 financial statements are available at our web site: www.nhccare.com.

Note 2 - OTHER REVENUES

	Three Months Ended		Nine Months Ended
	September 30		September 30
	2004	2003	2004	2003
	(in thousands)
Insurance services	$ 5,063	$ 5,612	$ 15,200	$13,083
Revenues from management, accounting & financial services	5,576	3,220	15,662	10,086
Guarantee fees	--	26	36	113
Advisory fee from NHI	685	545	2,055	1,623
Advisory fee from NHR	91	118	282	344
Dividends and other realized gains on securities	807	761	2,411	2,314
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated investments	63	85	238	262
Interest income	2,232	1,498	4,624	4,536
Rental income	1,012	1,015	3,042	3,035
Other	352	278	1,052	1,137
	$15,881	$13,158	$44,602	$36,533

Revenues from insurance services include premiums for workers' compensation and professional and general liability insurance policies that our wholly-owned insurance subsidiaries have written for certain long-term health care centers to which we provide management or accounting services. Revenues from management, accounting and financial services include management and accounting fees and revenues from other services provided to managed and other long-term health care centers. "Other" revenues include non-healthcare related earnings.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2004, we recognized management fees of approximately $2,326,000 and $4,620,034 from National and NHI, respectively. The management fees recognized from National and NHI include $2,159,000 and $1,494,000, respectively, of fees received in 2004, which had been doubtful of collection in prior years. Unrecognized and unpaid management fees from National and NHI total $7,456,000 and $10,870,000, respectively. The receipt of payment of these fees is subject to collectibility issues and negotiations. Consistent with our policy, we will only recognize these unrecognized fees and revenues if and when cash is collected.

Note 3 - GUARANTEES AND CONTINGENCIES

Guarantees and Related Events

Debt Guarantees--

In addition to our primary debt obligations, which are included in our consolidated financial statements, we have guaranteed the debt obligations of certain other entities. Those guarantees, which are not included as debt obligations in our consolidated financial statements, total $18,012,000 at September 30, 2004 and include $7,495,000 of debt of managed and other long-term health care centers and $10,517,000 of debt of National Health Corporation ("National") and the National Health Corporation Leveraged Employee Stock Ownership Plan (the "ESOP").

The $7,495,000 of guarantees of debt of managed and other long-term health care centers relates to first mortgage debt obligations of two long-term health care centers to which we provide management or accounting services. We have agreed to guarantee these obligations in order to obtain management or accounting services agreements. For this service, we charge an annual guarantee fee of 0.5% to 2.0% of the outstanding principal balance guaranteed, which fee is in addition to our management or accounting services fee. All of this guaranteed indebtedness is secured by first mortgages, pledges of personal property, accounts receivable, marketable securities and, in certain instances, the personal guarantees of the owners of the facilities.

The $10,517,000 of guarantees of debt of National and the ESOP relates to senior secured notes held by financial institutions. The total outstanding balance of National and the ESOP's obligations under these senior secured notes is $16,961,000. Of this obligation, $6,444,000 has been included in our debt obligations because we are a direct obligor on this indebtedness. The remaining $10,517,000, which is not included in our debt obligations because we are not a direct obligor, is due from NHI to National and the ESOP. Additionally, under the amended terms of these note agreements, the lending institutions have the right to put to us the entire outstanding balance of this debt on March 31, 2005. Upon exercise of this put option by the lending institutions at that time, we would be obligated to purchase the then outstanding balance of these senior secured notes, which is estimated to be approximately $15,116,000 at March 31, 2005.

Financial Guarantees--

On July 30, 2004, a third party refinanced approximately $12,000,000 of debt which we had guaranteed. Our guarantee was in the form of an obligation to purchase a $12,000,000 loan made by a commercial bank in the event there was a default under the credit agreement. Our obligation to repurchase the loan had been collateralized by cash in an amount equal to the loan balance, which amount was included in restricted cash on our balance sheet at June 30, 2004.

The refinancing was accomplished by the sale of tax exempt bonds which NHC purchased. We believe that our risks related to this transaction are unchanged by these subsequent events, and therefore we do not expect to currently recognize any additional gains or losses.

As of September 30, 2004, we have accrued approximately $7,376,000 for potential loses as a result of our purchase of the tax exempt bonds.

We have recorded a liability in the amount of $1,044,000 related to our guarantee of $3,000,000 of debt of six long-term health care centers in Florida.

As of September 30, 2004, our maximum potential loss related to the aforementioned debt is $1,044,000, which is the outstanding balance of our guarantee. We have accrued approximately $1,044,000 for potential losses as a result of our guarantees.

Debt Cross Defaults

In May 2004, we repaid our senior notes payable in the approximate amount of $327,000. Our $6,444,000 senior secured notes payable which are included as debt on our balance sheet were borrowed from National. National obtained its financing through the ESOP. As we are a direct obligor on this debt, it has been reported as a liability owed by us to the holders of the debt instruments rather than as a liability owed to National and the ESOP.

Through a guarantee agreement, our $6,444,000 senior secured notes and our $10,517,000 guarantee described above have cross-default provisions with other debt of National and the ESOP. We currently believe that National and the ESOP are in compliance with the terms of their debt agreements.

Note 4 - NOTES RECEIVABLE FROM RELATED PARTIES

Notes receivable from related parties consist of notes receivable from National Health Realty, Inc. ("NHR"), National and the ESOP. The outstanding balance of the notes at December 31, 2003 were $14,924,000, $9,728,000 and $5,714,000 for NHR, National, and the ESOP, respectively. During 2004, the balance of the notes receivable from NHR and the ESOP have been repaid. At September 30, 2004, we have notes receivable from National of approximately $10,002,000.

Note 5 - NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In November 2002, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 45, "Guarantor's Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Indebtedness ("FIN 45"). FIN 45 requires that the guarantor recognize, at the inception of certain guarantees, a liability for the fair value of the obligation undertaken in issuing such guarantees. FIN 45 also requires additional disclosure requirements about the guarantor's obligations under certain guarantees that it has issued. The initial recognition and measurement provisions of this interpretation are applicable on a prospective basis to guarantees issued or modified after December 31, 2002.

In January 2003, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 46, "Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities" ("FIN 46"), which requires the consolidation of variable interest entities by the primary beneficiary of such variable interest entities. NHC has adopted FIN 46 effective March 31, 2004. The Company is not the primary beneficiary of any variable interest entity and, therefore, has not consolidated any additional entities as the result of adoption of FIN 46. The Company guarantees $10,389,000 of annual lease payments (through 2007) of 13 individual entities that operate 13 long-term health care facilities in Florida. The 13 individual entities, which lease the facilities from NHI and NHR, are each variable interest entities. The Company has also extended a working capital loan (outstanding balance of $1,145,000 at September 30, 2004) and has a 50% equity interest in a hospice company formed in 2003, which hospice company is also a variable interest entity. The Company is not the primary beneficiary of any of these variable interest entities. The Company's maximum exposure to loss as a result of its involvement with these variable interest entities is the guaranteed lease payments through 2007 and the outstanding balance of the working capital loan to the hospice company.

Note 6 - LEGAL PROCEEDINGS AND INSURANCE

Nationwide, the entire long term care industry has experienced a dramatic increase in personal injury/wrongful death claims and awards based on alleged negligence by nursing facilities and their employees in providing care to residents. As of September 30, 2004, we and/or our managed centers are currently defendants in 50 such claims covering the years 1995 through September 30, 2004. Eighteen of these cases are in Florida, where we have not operated or managed long-term care providers since September 30, 2000. In addition, four suits are currently pending in relation to the September 25, 2003 fire discussed below.

When bids were solicited for third party liability coverage for 2002, only two companies would quote coverage. Both quotations were so onerous and expensive that we elected to pay the premiums into a wholly-owned liability insurance company. Thus, during 2003 and 2004, insurance coverage for incidents occurring at all providers owned or leased, and most providers managed by us, is provided through this wholly-owned liability insurance company.

Our coverages for all years include both primary policies and umbrella policies. For years 1999 through 2001, the policies contain a per incident deductible. For the period October 2000 through December 2001 there is no aggregate limit on our potential deductible obligations. In 2002, the deductibles were eliminated and first dollar coverage is provided through the wholly-owned liability insurance company, while the excess coverage is provided by a third party insuror.

In 2003, primary professional liability insurance coverage and excess coverage is provided through our wholly-owned liability insurance company in the amount of $1 million per incident, $3 million per location with an aggregate primary policy limit of $11.0 million and a $7.5 million annual excess aggregate. In 2004, coverage remained the same except for the aggregate primary policy limit which was increased to $12.0 million.

As a result of the terms of our insurance policies and our use of the wholly-owned insurance company, we have retained significant self insurance risk with respect to general and professional liability. We use independent actuaries to estimate our exposures for claims obligations (for both asserted and unasserted claims) related to deductibles and exposures in excess of coverage limits, and we maintain reserves for these obligations. It is possible that claims against us could exceed our coverage limits and our reserves, which would have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

On September 25, 2003, a tragic and as of yet unexplained fire occurred on the second floor of a skilled nursing facility located in Nashville, Tennessee operated by one of our limited liability company subsidiaries. While the concrete and steel constructed facility complied with applicable fire safety codes, the building was not equipped with fire sprinklers. Although the fire was limited to a double bedded patient's room, extensive smoke filled the area and caused injuries to other patients despite aggressive efforts to evacuate these patients by NHC employees, fire department personnel and other volunteers. There have been sixteen patient deaths since the fire, an undetermined number of which may be related to the events of September 25, 2003.

The fire produced extensive media coverage, specifically focused on the fact that health care centers, including hospitals, constructed prior to 1994 are not required by Tennessee law or regulations to be fully sprinkled if constructed with fire resistant materials. We have announced that irrespective of code standards, we will commence a process of fully sprinkling all facilities operated by NHC that are not already fully sprinkled. We estimate the cost of this undertaking to be approximately $11,000,000. We have created through our National Health Foundation (a qualified 501(c)(3) charity) a patient and family relief fund, which is being administered separately from other funds of the Foundation by families of Nashville patients. The prayers and best wishes of the NHC family partners have gone forth to all patients and families affected by this fire. We are proactively seeking to resolve any questions and/or losses with our patients and their families, and will continue to do so until all matters are resolved.

We have settled 28 of the 32 lawsuits filed against the company as a result of the fire. There are four lawsuits currently pending which have been consolidated in the Third Circuit Court for Davidson County, Tennessee. No additional lawsuits are expected related to this event. Discovery is ongoing. The Company plans to vigorously defend against the allegations in these lawsuits and seek settlements with residents and their families.

Additionally, in connection with the fire, we have incurred losses and costs associated with physical damage to the health care center and interruption of business, as we have closed the center for an indefinite period of time. For the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2004, we have received or accrued $189,000 and $1,465,000, respectively, of insurance recoveries from third-party insurance carriers. These insurance recoveries have reduced our losses and costs and were included in other operating expenses in the 2004 consolidated statement of income.

The building involved in the fire was leased by one of our limited liability company subsidiaries from NHI.

The lease was terminated during the third quarter of 2004, effective January 31, 2004. A provision of the lease allowed that if substantial damage occurred during the lease term, we could terminate the lease with respect to the damaged property. Under the lease, NHC will have no obligation to repair the property and NHI will receive the entire insurance proceeds related to the building damage. We are obligated to continue to indemnify and hold harmless NHI from any and all demands arising from our use of the property. NHI retains the right to license the beds under the lease termination. NHC currently expects to utilize the bed license for 124 beds formerly associated with the Nashville center.

Consistent with the provisions of SFAS 5, we have accrued for probable and estimatible losses related to the Nashville fire and have included our estimates of these losses in accrued risk reserves in the consolidated balance sheet. It is possible that claims against us related to the Nashville fire could exceed our estimates, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and cash flows.

Note 7 - EARNINGS PER SHARE

Basic earnings per share is based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the year.

Diluted earnings per share assumes the exercise of options using the treasury stock method.

The following table summarizes the earnings and the average number of common shares used in the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share.

	Three Months Ended		Nine Months Ended
	September 30		September 30
	2004	2003	2004	2003
Basic:
Weighted average common shares	11,674,212	11,617,284	11,669,955	11,603,324
Net income	$ 6,458,000	$ 5,294,000	$15,195,000	$13,389,000
Earnings per common share, basic	$ .55	$ .46	$ 1.30	$ 1.15
Diluted:
Weighted average common shares	11,674,212	11,617,284	11,669,955	11,603,324
Options	758,286	441,441	655,169	459,029
Assumed average common shares outstanding	12,432,498	12,058,725	12,325,124	12,062,353
Net income	$ 6,458,000	$ 5,294,000	$15,195,000	$13,389,000
Earnings per common share, diluted	$ .52	$ .44	$ 1.23	$ 1.11

Note 8 - STOCK OPTION PLANS

We have incentive option plans that provide for the granting of options to key employees and directors to purchase shares of common stock at no less than market value on the date of grant. Options issued to non-employee directors vest immediately and have a maximum five year term. Options issued to employees in 2000 vest over a six year period and have a maximum six year term. Options issued to employees in 2004 vest over a five year period and have a maximum five year term. The following table summarizes option activity:

		Weighted
	Number of	Average
	Shares	Exercise Price
Options outstanding at December 31, 2002	662,500	$ 6.81
Options granted	60,000	19.60
Options expired	(40,000)	39.88
Options exercised	(40,000)	10.44
Options forfeited	(55,000)	12.94
Options outstanding at December 31, 2003	587,500	5.04
Options granted	1,298,000	21.18
Options forfeited	(20,000)	7.06
Options exercised	(10,000)	9.38
Options outstanding at September 30, 2004	1,855,500	16.29
Options exercisable September 30, 2004	145,000	$ 20.21

			Weighted Average
		Weighted Average	Remaining Contractual
Options Outstanding	Exercise Prices	Exercise Price	Life in Years
1,353,000	$17.25 to $27.01	$21.10	4.5
502,500	$3.00 to $10.40	$ 3.33	2.0
1,855,500

The weighted average remaining contractual life of options outstanding at September 30, 2004 is 3.7 years.

Additionally, we have an employee stock purchase plan that allows employees to purchase shares of NHC common stock through payroll deductions. The plan allows employees to terminate participation at any time.

We have adopted the disclosure-only provisions of SFAS 123, as amended. As a result, no compensation cost has been recognized in the consolidated statements of income for our stock-based compensation plans. Had compensation cost for our stock option plans been determined based on the fair value at the grant date of awards in 2004 and 2003, consistent with the provisions of SFAS 123, our net income and earnings per share would have been as follows:

	Three Months Ended		Nine Months Ended
	September 30		September 30
	2004	2003	2004	2003
	(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
Net income - as reported	$6,458	$5,294	$15,195	$13,389
Net income - pro forma	6,253	5,228	14,344	13,204
Net earnings per share - as reported
Basic	$ .55	$ .46	$ 1.30	$ 1.15
Diluted	$ .52	$ .44	$ 1.23	$ 1.11
Net earnings per share - pro forma
Basic	$ .54	$ .45	$ 1.23	$ 1.14
Diluted	$ .50	$ .43	$ 1.16	$ 1.09

The pre-tax weighted average fair value per share of options granted was $4.93 and $6.85 for 2004 and 2003, respectively. For purposes of pro forma disclosures of net income and earnings per share as required by SFAS 123, as amended, the estimated fair value of the options is amortized to expense over the options' vesting period. The fair value of each grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following assumptions used for grants in 2004 and 2003:

Grant Date	4/20/04	3/24/04	4/24/03
Dividend yield	2.76%	3.96%	0%
Expected volatility	34.0%	34.0%	33.9%
Expected lives	5 years	5 years	5 years
Risk-free interest rate	3.58%	3.07%	3.00%

Note 9 - LEASE TERMINATIONS

On April 1, 2004, we discontinued our operation of an 80-bed long-term health care center located in Dawson Springs, Kentucky. Our lease of the property from NHI was terminated when NHI sold the property to another operator. We sold our inventories, personalty and leasehold improvements at our basis, which was $343,000. The revenues, expenses and net income and cash flows of the center are not material to our operations.

Effective January 31, 2004, we terminated our lease of a 124 bed long-term health care center located in Nashville, Tennessee. Our lease of the property from NHI was terminated due to extensive fire damage to the property on September 25, 2003.

Note 10 - EVENT SUBSEQUENT TO BALANCE SHEET DATE

Effective November 1, 2004, W. Andrew Adams, Chairman of the Board and CEO, resigned his position as CEO. He retains his position as Chairman of the Board focusing on strategic planning, but will have no day to day managerial duties with NHC. Concurrently, NHC has assigned its Advisory Agreement with National Health Investors, Inc. to an independent company owned by Mr. Adams. The assignment of the short term Advisory Agreement will have no material impact on NHC's earnings.

The Board has elected NHC's President, Mr. Robert G. Adams, to fill the position of CEO. Mr. Robert Adams, brother of W. Andrew Adams, has been with NHC in various capacities since 1974. He has served as President since April of 2004 and previously served as Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer since January 1998.

Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

Overview

National HealthCare Corporation ("NHC" or the "Company") is a leading provider of long-term health care services. We operate or manage 74 long-term health care centers with 9,214 beds in 10 states and provide other services in two additional states. These operations are actually provided by separately funded and maintained subsidiaries. We provide long-term health care services to patients in a variety of settings including long-term nursing centers, managed care specialty units, sub-acute care units, Alzheimer's care units, homecare programs, assisted living centers and independent living centers. In addition, we provide management and accounting services to owners of long-term health care centers and advisory services to National Health Investors, Inc. ("NHI") and National Health Realty, Inc., ("NHR").

Areas of Focus

Accrued Risk Reserves - Our accrued professional liability reserves, workers' compensation reserves and health insurance reserves totaled $52,447,000 at September 30, 2004 and are a primary area of management focus. We have set aside restricted cash to fully fund our professional liability and workers' compensation reserves. The tragic fire on September 25, 2003 at the Nashville skilled nursing subsidiary increased these liabilities in 2003 and, depending upon future events, may require additional adjustments in the future. We have in the past and are currently undertaking steps to contain these costs.

As to the risks of fire, we are retrofitting in 2004 and 2005 all of our owned and leased long-term care centers with fire sprinklers where not already equipped. We estimate the cost of this undertaking will be approximately $11,000,000 and we have incurred costs of approximately $2,680,000 in the first nine months of this year. Furthermore, a fire safety consulting firm has been engaged to evaluate and modify, if necessary, our priority safety procedures. In addition, we are implementing a comprehensive fire safety training program at all of our centers to include, where feasible, local fire departments.

As to exposure for professional liability claims, we are utilizing performance certification criteria for our centers to measure and bring focus to the patient care issues most likely to produce professional liability exposure, including in-house acquired pressure ulcers, significant weight loss and numbers of falls. These programs for certification, which are continuing, have already produced measurable improvements in reducing these incidents. Our experience is that achieving goals in these patient care areas improves both patient and employee satisfaction. Furthermore, we are in the process of identifying and restructuring the ownership or management of our higher risk operations and locations to eliminate NHC liability exposure.

Earnings - We recognize revenues associated with cost report settlements and requests for exceptions to routine cost limitations when the results of final cost report audits are known and when approvals of exception requests are assured. The three-year review period will expire in 2004 for approximately $23,402,000 of routine cost limit exceptions and provisions. These exceptions and provisions will be eliminated from the amounts due to third party payors and will be recorded as revenue in the fourth quarter of 2004 if no further adjustments by third party payers are made, the exceptions request approvals become assured and the results of the final cost report audits are known. However, we will receive no additional cash payments. These revenue amounts relate primarily to cost reports filed for 1997 and 1998 and preliminarily processed by the government intermediaries in 2001.

Growth - The long-term care industry has gone through a long period of financial distress caused by material reductions in government payments for services and dramatic increases in the cost of professional liability insurance. As a result, we have limited our expansion efforts and used cash generated from operations to repay debt and build liquidity.

In May 2004, we completed construction and opened a new health care center in Franklin, Tennessee, which has 160 long-term care beds (47 of these beds came from an existing facility) and 46 assisted living units. Furthermore, we completed the construction of a 30 long-term care bed addition in Murfreesboro, Tennessee in August, 2004. During 2004 we will apply for Certificates of Need for additional beds in our own markets and also evaluate the feasibility of expansion into new markets by building private pay health care centers.

In 2004 we are developing an active hospice program in selected areas through our partnership with the recently formed Caris Healthcare and are also exploring opportunities to expand our home health care services.

Application of Critical Accounting Policies

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates and cause our reported net income to vary significantly from period to period.

Our critical accounting policies that are both important to the portrayal of our financial condition and results and require our most difficult, subjective or complex judgments are as follows:

Revenue Recognition - Third Party Payors - Approximately 66% (2003), 63% (2002), and 67% (2001) of our net revenues are derived from Medicare, Medicaid, and other government programs. Amounts earned under these programs are subject to review by the third party payors. In our opinion, adequate provision has been made for any adjustments that may result from these reviews. Any differences between our estimates of settlements and final determinations are reflected in operations in the year finalized. For the cost report years 1997 and 1998, we have submitted various requests for exceptions to Medicare routine cost limitations for reimbursement. We received preliminary intermediary approval on $14,186,000 of these requests in 2001 after settlement of outstanding litigation styled Braeuning, et al vs. National HealthCare L.P., et al. We have, in addition, made provisions of approximately $12,761,000 for other various Medicare and Medicaid issues for current and prior year cost reports. Consistent with our revenue recognition policies, we will record revenues associated with the approved requests and the other various issues when the approvals, including the final cost report audits, are assured. The three-year review period will expire in 2004 for approximately $23,402,000 of the routine cost limit exceptions and provisions will be recorded as revenues in 2004 if no further adjustments by the third party payors are made; however, we will receive no additional cash payments.

Accrued Risk Reserves - We are principally self-insured for risks related to employee health insurance, workers' compensation and professional and general liability claims. Our accrued insurance risk reserves primarily represent the accrual for self-insured risks associated with employee health insurance, workers' compensation and professional and general liability claims. The accrued risk reserves include a liability for reported claims and estimates for incurred but unreported claims. Our policy with respect to a significant portion of our workers' compensation and professional and general liability claims is to use an actuary to support the estimates recorded for incurred but unreported claims. Our health insurance reserve is based on our known claims incurred and an estimate of incurred but unreported claims determined by our analysis of historical claims paid. We reassess our accrued risk reserves on a quarterly basis.

Professional liability is an area of particular concern to us. The entire long term care industry has seen a dramatic increase in personal injury/wrongful death claims based on alleged negligence by nursing homes and their employees in providing care to residents. As of September 30, 2004, we and/or our managed centers are defendants in 50 such claims inclusive of years 1995 through September 30, 2004. In addition, four lawsuits are as yet not settled relative to a tragic September 25, 2003 fire at our Nashville LLC skilled nursing subsidiary. We have settled 28 of 32 lawsuits filed against the company as a result of the fire. No additional lawsuits are expected related to this event. This litigation is expected to take several years to complete. It is possible that future events could cause us to make significant adjustments or revisions to these estimates and cause our reported net income to vary significantly from period to period.

We maintain insurance coverage for incidents occurring in all providers owned, leased or managed by us. The coverages include both primary policies and umbrella policies. For years 1999 through 2001, we maintain insurance coverage through third party insurance companies. For 2002, we maintain primary coverage through our own insurance company with excess coverage provided by a third party insurance company. For 2003, we maintain both primary and excess coverage through our own insurance subsidiary. In all years, settlements, if any, in excess of insurance policy limits and our own reserves would be expensed by us. In 2004, coverage remains the same except for the aggregate primary policy limit which was increased from $11,000,000 to $12,000,000.

Revenue Recognition - Uncertain Collections - We provide management services to certain long-term care facilities and to others we provide accounting and financial services. We generally charge 6% of net revenues for our management services and a predetermined fixed rate per bed for the accounting and financial services. Generally our policy is to recognize revenues associated with both management services and accounting and financial services on an accrual basis as the services are provided. However, there are certain of the third parties with which we have contracted to provide services and which we have determined, based on insufficient historical collections and the lack of expected future collections, that the service revenue is not realizable and our policy is to recognize income only in the period in which the amounts are collected. It is possible that future events could cause us to make significant adjustments or revisions to these estimates and cause our reported net income to vary significantly from period to period.

Certain of our accounts receivable from private paying patients and certain of our notes receivable are subject to credit losses. We have attempted to reserve for expected accounts receivable credit losses based on our past experience with similar accounts receivable and believe our reserves to be adequate.

We continually monitor and evaluate the carrying amount of our notes receivable in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 114, "Accounting by Creditors for Impairment of a Loan - An Amendment of FASB Statements No. 5 and 15." It is possible, however, that the accuracy of our estimation process could be materially impacted as the composition of the receivables changes over time. We continually review and refine our estimation process to make it as reactive to these changes as possible. However, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to accurately estimate credit losses on these balances. It is possible that future events could cause us to make significant adjustments or revisions to these estimates and cause our reported net income to vary significantly from period to period.

Potential Recognition of Deferred Income - During 1988, we sold the assets of eight long-term health care centers to National Health Corporation ("National"), our administrative general partner at the time of the sale. The resulting profit of $15,745,000 was deferred and will be amortized into income beginning with the collection of the note receivable (up to $12,000,000) with the balance ($3,745,000) of the profit being amortized into income on a straight-line basis over the management contract period. The collection (or alternatively, the offset against certain payables to National) of up to $12,000,000 of notes receivable would result in the immediate recognition of up to $12,000,000 of pretax net income. Currently, the notes are due December 31, 2007.

Guarantees - We guaranteed the debt of managed and other long-term health care centers ($7,495,000) and the debt of National and the ESOP ($10,517,000). We recorded a liability in the amount of $1,044,000 related to our guarantee of $3,000,000 of debt of six long-term health care centers in Florida. We recorded this liability based upon our estimate of the value of the underlying collateral of the loan. It is possible that future events could cause us to make significant adjustments to our estimates and liability under these guarantees and cause our reported net income to vary significantly from period to period.

Tax Contingencies - NHC continually evaluates for tax related contingencies. Contingencies may arise where tax laws may allow for alternative interpretations or where the timing of recognition of income is subject to judgment. We believe we have adequate provisions for tax contingencies. However, because of uncertainty of interpretation by various tax authorities and the possibility that there are issues that have not been recognized by management, we cannot guarantee we have accurately estimated our tax liabilities.

The above listing is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all of our accounting policies. In many cases, the accounting treatment of a particular transaction is specifically dictated by generally accepted accounting principles, with no need for management's judgment in their application. There are also areas in which management's judgment in selecting any available alternative would not produce a materially different result. See our audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto which contain accounting policies and other disclosures required by generally accepted accounting principles.

Medicare and Medicaid Program Reimbursement Changes

Effective October 1, 2003, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services ("CMS") increased reimbursement for skilled nursing centers for Medicare Part A 3.26% in addition to the annual inflationary increase of 3%. We estimate that these changes increased our revenues by $1,300,000 per quarter since the changes.

Effective April 1, 2004, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services ("CMS") issued changes to the standardized rate for rural and non-rural areas for homecare services. Rural area rates increased 5%, while non-rural areas experienced a slight decrease of .8%. The overall effect amounts to an increase of 2%. We estimate this change will increase our revenues by approximately $225,000 per quarter since the change.

Future rate increases for both Medicare and Medicaid were recently announced. Effective October 1, 2004, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services ("CMS") issued the annual market basket (inflationary) increase of 2.8% for skilled nursing facilities reimbursement of Medicare Part A. We estimate the annual update will increase Medicare Part A revenues by $625,000 per quarter.

As to Medicaid, effective July 1, 2004, Tennessee, Missouri, Virginia, and Kentucky announced per diem rate increases. We estimate the increased revenues for our centers to be $1,800,000 per quarter. Kentucky and Missouri will also incur increased provider taxes; however revenues will out pace taxes substantially.

Results of Operations

Three Months Ended September 30, 2004 Compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2003.

Results for the three month period ended September 30, 2004 include a 7.6% increase in net revenues compared to the same period in 2003 and a 22.0% increase in net income.

Pretax earnings for the quarter were negatively impacted by $659,000 of costs associated with opening NHC Place at Cool Springs, our new facility located in Franklin, Tennessee, and by increased workers compensation costs of $560,000 based on actuary reports for workers compensation insurance. Earnings for the quarter were increased by the collection of management fees of $1,494,000, which had been doubtful of collection in prior years. Were it not for these events, pretax and after-tax earnings for the quarter would have increased approximately 21.6% over the prior year.

Net patient revenues increased 6.0% compared to the same period last year. We estimate that the October 2003 Medicare rate increases for skilled nursing centers increased our revenues by approximately $1.3 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2004. Medicaid increases and improved census mix also increased patient revenues. Our newly opened Cool Springs health care and assisted living center in Franklin, Tennessee, net of revenues from beds closed elsewhere, added approximately $3,272,000 to net patient revenues.

The total census at owned and leased centers for the quarter averaged 94.42% compared to an average of 94.5% for the same quarter a year ago.

Other revenues increased $2.7 million or 20.7% in 2004 from $13.1 million in 2003 to $15.9 million in 2004. The increase is due primarily to increased accounting and financial services provided to managed centers. The increase in accounting and financial services fees is due primarily to the recognition in 2004 of $2.6 million in management fees from NHI which included $1.5 million of fees received in the current quarter but which had been doubtful of collection in prior years. During the three months ended September 30, 2004, NHC provided financial and accounting services for 41 facilities as compared to 39 facilities during the three months ended September 30, 2003.

Total costs and expenses for the 2004 first quarter increased $6.9 million or 6.2% to $117.3 million from $110.4 million. Salaries, wages and benefits, the largest operating costs of this service company, increased $3.2 million or 4.9% to $68.0 million from $64.8 million. Other operating expenses increased $3.9 million or 12.3% to $35.4 million for the 2004 period compared to $31.5 million in the 2003 period. Rent expense decreased $.6 to $9.8 million compared to $10.4 million in the 2003 period. Depreciation and amortization increased $.5 million or 16.3% to $3.6 million from $3.1 million. Interest costs decreased $.1 million to $.4 million. Increases in salaries, wages and benefits are due to inflationary wage increases and to increased workers compensation claims accrued. Increases in other operating costs are due to inflationary increases as well as increases in costs of workers compensation insurance administrative costs and homecare services. In addition, salaries, wages and benefits and other operating expenses are increased due to the opening of our 160 long-term care beds and 46 assisted living units in May 2004.

The decrease in interest costs is primarily due to the $17.0 million prepayment of long-term debt in December 2003, and the repayment of $.3 million in May 2004.

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2004 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2003.

Results for the nine month period ended September 30, 2004 include a 6.5% increase in net revenues compared to the same period in 2003 and a 13.5% increase in net income.

Pretax earnings for the nine months were negatively impacted by $1,614,000 of costs associated with opening NHC Place at Cool Springs, our new facility located in Franklin, Tennessee, and by increased workers compensation costs of $3,800,000 based on actuary reports for workers compensation insurance. Earnings for the nine months were increased by the collection of management fees of $3,653,000, which had been doubtful of collection in prior years. Were it not for these events, pretax and after-tax earnings for the nine months would have increased approximately 23.1% over the prior year.

Net patient revenues increased 4.6% compared to the same period last year. We estimate that the October 2003 Medicare rate increases for skilled nursing centers increased our revenues by approximately $2.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2004. Medicaid increases and improved census mix also increased patient revenues.

The total census at owned and leased centers for the nine months averaged 93.9% compared to an average of 94.0% for the same period a year ago.

Other revenues increased $8.1 million or 22.1% in 2004 from $36.5 million in 2003 to $44.6 million in 2004. The increase is due primarily to increased insurance and accounting and financial services provided to managed centers. The increase in accounting and financial services fees is due primarily to the recognition in 2004 of $2.3 million management fees from National and $4.6 million accounting and financial services fees from NHI which included $2.2 million and $1.4 million, respectively, of fees received in 2004 but which had been doubtful of collection in prior years. During the nine months ended September 30, 2004, NHC provided financial and accounting services for 41 facilities as compared to 39 facilities during the nine months ended September 30, 2003.

Total costs and expenses for the 2004 nine months increased $19.1 million or 5.6% to $345.2 million from $326.1 million. Salaries, wages and benefits, the largest operating costs of this service company, increased $11.4 million or 6.0% to $200.0 million from $188.7 million. Other operating expenses increased $8.1 million or 8.5% to $103.5 million for the 2004 period compared to $95.3 million in the 2003 period. Rent expense and depreciation and amortization increased $.5 million and $.8 million, respectively. Interest costs decreased $.7 million to $.9 million. Increases in salaries, wages and benefits are due to inflationary wage increases and to increased workers compensation claims accrued. Increases in other operating costs are due to inflationary increases as well as increases in costs of workers compensation insurance administrative costs and homecare services. In addition, salaries, wages and benefits and other operating expenses are increased due to the opening of 160 long-term care beds and 46 assisted living units in May 2004.

The decrease in interest costs is primarily due to the $17.0 million prepayment of long-term debt in December 2003 and $.3 million in May 2004.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Net cash provided by operating activities during the first nine months of 2004 totaled $23.6 million compared to $38.5 million provided in the same period last year. Cash provided by operating activities is composed of net income plus depreciation and increases in accrued liabilities and reserves and deferred income and accrued payroll, offset by increases in accounts receivable and decreases in other non-current liabilities.

Cash flows used by investing activities during the first nine months of 2004 totaled $8.0 million compared to $14.8 million used in investing activities in the same period in 2003. Cash used for additions to property and equipment totaled $21.5 million in 2004 compared to $17.6 million in 2003. In May 2004 we completed construction of one new center with 160 long-term care beds and 46 assisted living units and a 30 long-term care bed addition to an existing center in August, 2004. In addition, retrofitting of sprinkler systems has begun at five health care centers. We estimate the cost of this undertaking to be approximately $11 million. Investments in notes receivable were $8.6 million in 2004, compared to no cash used last year. Collections of notes receivable generated $21.9 million in 2004 compared to $2.0 million in 2003. The $21.9 million of notes receivable collected includes $14.9 million from NHR and $6.9 of our ESOP notes receivable. Cash used to purchase marketable securities totaled $.2 million compared to $.5 million of cash provided by sales of marketable securities in 2003. Distribution for unconsolidated investments totaled $.4 million in 2004 and 2003.

Cash used in financing activities totaled $1.0 million in the first nine months of 2004 compared to $16.4 million used for the same period in 2003. Cash used for payments of debt totaled $3.3 million, dividend payments to shareowners totaled $2.9 million in 2004. In 2004 cash was provided by a decrease in restricted cash which totaled $5.0 million. The decrease in restricted cash is due primarily to NHC being relieved of its guarantee (our guarantee collateralized with cash) to purchase a loan from a commercial bank in the event of default. In the prior year, cash flows used totaled $3.0 million for payments on debt, no payments of dividends and $13.8 million for increase in restricted cash. Restricted cash is primarily related to professional liability insurance, workers' compensation insurance and health insurance.

At September 30, 2004, our ratio of long-term debt to total capitalization (total debt plus deferred income plus shareholders equity) is 8.6%.

Table of Contractual Cash Obligations

Our contractual cash obligations for periods subsequent to September 30, 2004 are as follows:

		Less than
	Total	1 Year	2-3 Years	4-5 years	After 5 years
	(in thousands)
Long-term debt	$ 20,319	$ 2,294	$ 5,154	$2,433	$10,438
Guaranteed debt	1,044	---	---	---	1,044
Obligation to complete
construction	2,181	2,181	---	---	---
Obligation to purchase
senior secured notes from
financial institutions	9,372	---	9,372	---	---
Operating leases	114,030	44,549	65,630	3,851	---
Total Contractual Cash
Obligations	$146,946	$49,024	$80,156	$6,284	$11,482

Future cash obligations for interest expense have not been included in the above table. During the nine months ended September 30, 2004, our cash payments for interest were $711,000.

The guaranteed debt of $1,044,000 represents our estimated obligation under a loan guarantee to a long-term health care center. As discussed in the section "Debt Guarantees", the $9,372,000 obligation represents our estimated obligation under a written put option related to senior secured notes between National and the National Health Corporation Leveraged Employee Stock Ownership Plan (the "ESOP") and certain lending institutions. In addition to the guaranteed debt obligation shown in the table above, we have guaranteed debt obligations of certain other entities totaling approximately $18,012,000. These guarantees are not included in the table above because we do not anticipate material obligations under these commitments.

Our current cash on hand, marketable securities, short-term notes receivable, operating cash flows, and as needed, our borrowing capacity are expected to be adequate to meet these contractual obligations and to finance our operating requirements, growth and development plans.

On April 15, 2004, we announced our intention to begin paying dividends. The NHC Board of Directors has authorized a quarterly dividend of 12.5 cents per common share to shareholders of record on June 30, 2004 and payable on September 10, 2004, and a dividend of 12.5 cents per common share to shareholders of record on September 30, 2004 and payable on December 1, 2004.

Guarantees and Contingencies

Debt Guarantees--

In addition to our primary debt obligations, which are included in our consolidated financial statements, we have guaranteed the debt obligations of certain other entities. Those guarantees, which are not included as debt obligations in our consolidated financial statements, total $18,012,000 at September 30, 2004 and include $7,495,000 of debt of managed and other long-term health care centers and $10,517,000 of debt of National Health Corporation ("National") and the National Health Corporation Leveraged Employee Stock Ownership Plan (the "ESOP").

The $7,495,000 of guarantees of debt of managed and other long-term health care centers relates to first mortgage debt obligations of two long-term health care centers to which we provide management or accounting services. We have agreed to guarantee these obligations in order to obtain management or accounting services agreements. For this service, we charge an annual guarantee fee of 0.5% to 2% of the outstanding principal balance guaranteed, which fee is in addition to our management or accounting services fee. All of this guaranteed indebtedness is secured by first mortgages, pledges of personal property, accounts receivable, marketable securities and, in certain instances, the personal guarantees of the owners of the facilities.

The $10,517,000 of guarantees of debt of National and the ESOP relates to senior secured notes held by financial institutions. The total outstanding balance of National and the ESOP's obligations under these senior secured notes is $16,961,000. Of this obligation, $6,444,000 has been included in our debt obligations because we are a direct obligor on this indebtedness. The remaining $10,517,000, which is not included in our debt obligations because we are not a direct obligor, is due from NHI to National and the ESOP. Additionally, under the amended terms of these note agreements, the lending institutions have the right to put to us the entire outstanding balance of this debt on June 30, 2005. Upon exercise of this put option by the lending institutions at that time, we would be obligated to purchase the then outstanding balance of these senior secured notes, which is estimated to be approximately $15,116,000 at June 30, 2005.

Financial Guarantees--

On July 30, 2004, a third party refinanced approximately $12,000,000 of debt which we had guaranteed. Our guarantee was in the form of an obligation to purchase a $12,000,000 loan made by a commercial bank in the event there was a default under the credit agreement. Our obligation to repurchase the loan had been collateralized by cash in an amount equal to the loan balance, which amount was included in restricted cash on our balance sheet at June 30, 2004.

The refinancing was accomplished by the sale of tax exempt bonds which NHC purchased. We believe that our risks related to this transaction are unchanged by these subsequent events, and therefore we do not expect to currently recognize any additional gains or losses.

As of September 30, 2004, we have accrued approximately $7,376,000 for potential loses as a result of our purchase of the tax exempt bonds.

Debt Cross Defaults

In May 2004, we repaid our senior notes payable in the approximate amount of $327,000. Our $6,444,000 senior secured notes which are included as debt on our balance sheet were borrowed from National. National obtained its financing through the ESOP. As we are a direct obligor on this debt, it has been reported as a liability owed by us to the holders of the debt instruments rather than as a liability owed to National and the ESOP.

Through a guarantee agreement, our $6,444,000 senior secured notes and our $10,517,000 guarantee described above have cross-default provisions with other debt of National and the ESOP. We currently believe that National and the ESOP are in compliance with the terms of their debt agreements.

New Accounting Pronouncements

In November 2002, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 45, "Guarantor's Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Indebtedness" ("FIN 45"). FIN 45 requires that the guarantor recognize, at the inception of certain guarantees, a liability for the fair value of the obligation undertaken in issuing such guarantees. FIN 45 also requires additional disclosure requirements about the guarantor's obligations under certain guarantees that it has issued. The initial recognition and measurement provisions of this interpretation are applicable on a prospective basis to guarantees issued or modified after December 31, 2002.

In January 2003, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 46, "Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities" ("FIN 46"), which requires the consolidation of variable interest entities. NHC has adopted FIN 46 effective March 31,2004. The implementation of FIN No. 46 has not had a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Forward-Looking Statements

References throughout this document to the Company include National HealthCare Corporation and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. In accordance with the Securities and Exchange Commission's "Plain English" guidelines, this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q has been written in the first person. In this document, the words "we", "our", "ours" and "us" refer only to National HealthCare Corporation and its wholly-owned subsidiaries and not any other person.

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and other information we provide from time to time, contains certain "forward-looking" statements as that term is defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements regarding our expected future financial position, results of operations or cash flows, continued performance improvements, ability to service and refinance our debt obligations, ability to finance growth opportunities, ability to control our patient care liability costs, ability to respond to changes in government regulations, ability to execute our three-year strategic plan, and similar statements including, without limitations, those containing words such as "believes", "anticipates", "expects", "intends", "estimates", "plans", and other similar expressions are forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause our actual results in future periods to differ materially from those projected or contemplated in the forward-looking statements as a result of, but not limited to, the following factors:

• national and local economic conditions, including their effect on the availability and cost of labor, utilities and materials;
• the effect of government regulations and changes in regulations governing the healthcare industry, including our compliance with such regulations;
• changes in Medicare and Medicaid payment levels and methodologies and the application of such methodologies by the government and its fiscal intermediaries;
• liabilities and other claims asserted against us, including patient care liabilities, as well as the resolution of current litigation (see "Note 5: Legal Proceedings);
• the ability of third parties for whom we have guaranteed debt to refinance certain short term debt obligations;
• the ability to attract and retain qualified personnel;
• the availability and terms of capital to fund acquisitions and capital improvements;
• the competitive environment in which we operate;
• the ability to maintain and increase census levels; and
• demographic changes.

See the notes to the quarterly financial statement, and "Item 1. Business" as is found in our 2003 Annual Report on Form 10-K for a discussion of various governmental regulations and other operating factors relating to the healthcare industry and the risk factors inherent in them. This may be found on our web side at www.nhccare.com. You should carefully consider these risks before making any investment in the Company. These risks and uncertainties are not the only ones facing us. There may be additional risks that we do not presently know of or that we currently deem immaterial. If any of the risks actually occur, our business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially adversely affected. In that case, the trading price of our shares of stock could decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment. Given these risks and uncertainties, we can give no assurances that these forward-looking statements will, in fact, transpire and, therefore, caution investors not to place undue reliance on them.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk.

Interest Rate Risk

Our cash and cash equivalents consist of highly liquid investments with a maturity of less than three months. As a result of the short-term nature of our cash instruments, a hypothetical 10% change in interest rates would have no impact on our future earnings and cash flows related to these instruments. Approximately $20.7 million of our notes receivable bear interest at fixed interest rates. As the interest rates on these notes receivable are fixed, a hypothetical 10% change in interest rates would have no impact on our future earnings and cash flows related to these instruments. Approximately $1.3 million of our notes receivable bear interest at variable rates (generally at prime plus 2%). Because the interest rates of these instruments are variable, a hypothetical 10% change in interest rates would result in a related increase or decrease in annual interest income of approximately $9,000. As of September 30, 2004, $10.9 million of our long-term debt and debt serviced by other parties bear interest at fixed interest rates. Because the interest rates of these instruments are fixed, a hypothetical 10% change in interest rates would have no impact on our future earnings and cash flows related to these instruments. The remaining $9.4 million of our long-term debt and debt serviced by other parties bear interest at variable rates. Because the interest rates of these instruments are variable, a hypothetical 10% change in interest rates would result in a related increase or decrease in annual interest expense of approximately $29,000.

Equity Price Risk

We consider our investments in marketable securities as "available for sale" securities and unrealized gains and losses are recorded in stockholders' equity in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 115. The investments in marketable securities are recorded at their fair market value based on quoted market prices. Thus, there is exposure to equity price risk, which is the potential change in fair value due to a change in quoted market price. Hypothetically, a 10% change in quoted market prices would result in a related 10% change in the fair value of our investments in marketable securities.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures.

As of September 30, 2004, an evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of the Company's management, including the Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") and Principal Accounting Officer ("PAO"), of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures. Based on that evaluation, the Company's management, including the CEO and PAO, concluded that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2004. There have been no significant changes in the Company's internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls during the quarter ended or subsequent to September 30, 2004. PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings.

For a discussion of prior, current and pending litigation of material significance to NHC, please see Note 6 of this Form 10-Q.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds. Not applicable

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities. None

Item 4. Submission of Matters to Vote of Security Holders. None.

Item 5. Other Information. None

Item 6. Exhibits.

(a) List of exhibits

Exhibit No.	Description
31	Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certifications
	302 Certification of W. Andrew Adams
	302 Certification of Donald K. Daniel
99	Additional Exhibits
	906 Certification of W. Andrew Adams
	906 Certification of Donald K. Daniel

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

	NATIONAL HEALTHCARE CORPORATION
	(Registrant)
Date November 5, 2004	/s/ W. Andrew Adams
	W. Andrew Adams
	Chief Executive Officer
Date November 5, 2004	/s/ Donald K. Daniel
	Donald K. Daniel
	Senior Vice President and Controller
	Principal Accounting Officer

EXHIBIT 31

CERTIFICATION

I, W. Andrew Adams, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of National HealthCare Corporation;

2. Based on my knowledge, this quarterly report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this quarterly report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a. Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b. Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c. Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d. Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function);

a. All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b. Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

Date: November 5, 2004

/s/ W. Andrew Adams

W. Andrew Adams

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

CERTIFICATION

I, Donald K. Daniel, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of National HealthCare Corporation;

2. Based on my knowledge, this quarterly report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this quarterly report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a. Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b. Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c. Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d. Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function);

a. All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b. Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

Date: November 5, 2004

/s/ Donald K. Daniel

Donald K. Daniel

Senior Vice President and Controller

Principal Accounting Officer

Exhibit 99

Certification of Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q

of National HealthCare Corporation

For The Quarter Ended September 30, 2004

The undersigned hereby certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to the undersigned's best knowledge and belief, the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for National HealthCare Corporation ("Issuer") for the period ending September 30, 2004 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"):

(a)	fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities
	Exchange Act of 1934; and
(b)	the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects,
	the financial condition and results of operations of the Issuer.

This Certification accompanies the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of the Issuer for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2004.

This Certification is executed as of November 5, 2004.

/s/ W. Andrew Adams

W. Andrew Adams

Chief Executive Officer

/s/ Donald K. Daniel

Donald K. Daniel

Principal Accounting Officer

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to National HealthCare Corporation and will be retained by National HealthCare Corporation and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.