-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000015840-03-000041.txt : 20031008
<SEC-HEADER>0000015840-03-000041.hdr.sgml : 20031008
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20031008145152
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000015840-03-000041
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20031007
FILED AS OF DATE:		20031008

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ZOLLARS WILLIAM D
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001085324
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	TRUCKING (NO LOCAL) [4213]
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-12335
		FILM NUMBER:		03933211

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		10990 ROE AVENUE
		STREET 2:		P O BOX 7563
		CITY:			OVERLAND PARK
		STATE:			KS
		ZIP:			66207
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9136966100

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		10777 BARKLEY
		STREET 2:		PO BOX 7563
		CITY:			OVERLAND PARK
		STATE:			KS
		ZIP:			66207-0563

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BUTLER MANUFACTURING CO
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000015840
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	PREFABRICATED METAL BUILDINGS & COMPONENTS [3448]
		IRS NUMBER:				440188420
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1540 GENESSEE STREET
		STREET 2:		P O BOX 419917
		CITY:			KANSAS CITY
		STATE:			MO
		ZIP:			64141-6917
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8169683000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1540 GENESSEE STREET
		STREET 2:		P O BOX 419917
		CITY:			KANSAS CITY
		STATE:			MO
		ZIP:			64141-6917
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgardoc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2003-10-07</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000015840</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>BUTLER MANUFACTURING CO</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>BBR</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001085324</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>ZOLLARS WILLIAM D</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O YELLOW CORPORATION</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>10990 ROE AVENUE</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>OVERLAND PARK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>KS</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>66211</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>

        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>205</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>

    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>

        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Phantom Stock Units</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>0</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2003-10-07</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>328.3</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>15.23</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2003-10-07</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2050-01-01</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>328.3</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>3457.77</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>

        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Non-Qualified Stock Option (right to buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>27.56</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2002-10-18</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2012-04-16</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>4000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>4000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>

    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The units are to be settled in Butler Common Stock (except for fractional shares to be paid in cash) following termination of service, death or disability or change of control.  Units are fully vested.  Distributions may be made in a lump sum or over a period of up to ten (10) years.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>By: JOHN W. HUEY  For: WILLIAM D. ZOLLARS</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2003-10-08</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>

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