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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,
 SNd9cG/ZHEM1Gxb8dt9nCb5HcMNku+s1Sl9wYtRy5VW4dSkHIlZeA99xq2GXVCzs
 mIUgdiYQysxjh36cog3mnw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000025191-04-000049.txt : 20040212
<SEC-HEADER>0000025191-04-000049.hdr.sgml : 20040212
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040212142517
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000025191-04-000049
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	5
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20031231
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040212

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			COUNTRYWIDE FINANCIAL CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000025191
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	MORTGAGE BANKERS & LOAN CORRESPONDENTS [6162]
		IRS NUMBER:				132641992
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		4500 PARK GRANADA BLVD
		CITY:			CALABASAS
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			91302
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8182253000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		4500 PARK GRANADA BLVD
		CITY:			CALABASAS
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			91302

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	COUNTRYWIDE CREDIT INDUSTRIES INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19920703

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			HELLER EDWIN
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001181594

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		5
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-12331-01
		FILM NUMBER:		04590097

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		4500 PARK GRANADA CH-11
		STREET 2:		COUNTRYWIDE HOME LOANS
		CITY:			CALABASAS
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			91302
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8182253904

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		4500 PARK GRANADA MS CH-11
		STREET 2:		COUNTRYWIDE HOME LOANS
		CITY:			CALABASAS
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			91302
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>5
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>hel543.xml
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>5</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2003-12-31</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <form3HoldingsReported>1</form3HoldingsReported>

    <form4TransactionsReported>0</form4TransactionsReported>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000025191</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>COUNTRYWIDE FINANCIAL CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>CFC</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001181594</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>HELLER EDWIN</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>4500 PARK GRANADA</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>CALABASAS</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>913021613</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>10901</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Employee Stock Option(Right to Buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>29.83</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>3</transactionFormType>
            </transactionCoding>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2002-06-01</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2011-06-01</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>20000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>20000</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Employee Stock Option (Right to Buy)*</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>30.75</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>3</transactionFormType>
            </transactionCoding>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2000-06-01</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2009-06-01</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>10823</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>10823</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Employee Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>35.04</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>3</transactionFormType>
            </transactionCoding>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>1999-06-01</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2008-06-01</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>12603</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>12603</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Employee Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>36.44</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>3</transactionFormType>
            </transactionCoding>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2003-06-03</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2012-06-03</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>24777</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>24777</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Employee Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>44.08</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>3</transactionFormType>
            </transactionCoding>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2004-04-01</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2013-04-01</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>23357</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>23357</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Includes 21 shares that were acquired through a Dividend Reinvestment Plan.  The information presented is as of December 31, 2003.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">On October 23, 2003, CFC declared a stock dividend, payable to all holders of record of common stock on December 17, 2003, of one share of common stock for each three shares of common stock outstanding.  As a result, the reporting person's direct holdings increased by 2,720 shares of CFC common stock.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">This option was previously reported as an option for one third fewer shares priced twenty-five percent (25%) higher, but was adjusted to reflect the four for three (4:3) stock dividend paid by CFC on December 17, 2003.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Heller, Edwin</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-02-12</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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