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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001108109-05-000028.txt : 20050314
<SEC-HEADER>0001108109-05-000028.hdr.sgml : 20050314
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20050314211100
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001108109-05-000028
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20050311
FILED AS OF DATE:		20050314
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20050314

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

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			NEWSOME GARY D
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001217263

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-15925
		FILM NUMBER:		05679902

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		155 FRANKLIN RD SUITE 400
		CITY:			BRENTWOOD
		STATE:			TN
		ZIP:			37027
</SEC-HEADER>
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<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
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        <issuerName>COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>CYH</issuerTradingSymbol>
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            <rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 400</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>BRENTWOOD</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>TN</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>37027</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
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            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
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            <otherText></otherText>
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            <securityTitle>
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            <underlyingSecurity>
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            <transactionAmounts>
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                <transactionPricePerShare>
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                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
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                <value>2001-06-08</value>
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                <value>2010-06-08</value>
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            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
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                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
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        </derivativeTransaction>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Options (Right to buy)</value>
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            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>20.3</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2004-05-22</value>
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                <value>2013-05-22</value>
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            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
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                <underlyingSecurityShares>
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                </underlyingSecurityShares>
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        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Options (Right to buy)</value>
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                <value>32.37</value>
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            <expirationDate>
                <value>2015-02-28</value>
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            <underlyingSecurity>
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    <footnotes></footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Rachel A. Seifert, Attorney in Fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-03-14</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
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</TEXT>
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</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----