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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,
 QYEc//YBIg6VZg9o6Kt4Cgv8rbj1ReRI9UE0p41nqqY8QajjEV2Q29NznLEL5a1n
 WViqeuiIv8GU9SztfDYm2w==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001108109-04-000018.txt : 20040526
<SEC-HEADER>0001108109-04-000018.hdr.sgml : 20040526
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040526154948
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001108109-04-000018
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040525
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040526

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			WATSON H MITCHELL JR
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001190774

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-15925
		FILM NUMBER:		04832465

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		39 OLD RIDGEBURY ROAD
		CITY:			DANBURY
		STATE:			CT
		ZIP:			06810-5113

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001108109
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SERVICES-GENERAL MEDICAL & SURGICAL HOSPITALS, NEC [8062]
		IRS NUMBER:				133893191
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		155 FRANKLIN RD
		STREET 2:		STE 400
		CITY:			BRENTWOOD
		STATE:			TN
		ZIP:			37027
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6153739600

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS INC/
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	20000229
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>c0001190774d20040526f3f.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-05-25</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>1</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001108109</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>CYH</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001190774</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>WATSON H MITCHELL JR</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>155 FRANKLIN ROAD</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 400</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>BRENTWOOD</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>TN</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>37027</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle></officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable></nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable></derivativeTable>

    <footnotes></footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Rachel A. Seifert, Attorney in Fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-05-26</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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