-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 Ur0EH/PfT+VJ4HQhtBtLyKvIGcJnmcaB1gN3RuKDKkXqX+cg6GPBwqHTYh1IpWCO
 2v1SVawFqNhwe//dlgLavA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001104659-03-024337.txt : 20031031
<SEC-HEADER>0001104659-03-024337.hdr.sgml : 20031031
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20031031145630
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001104659-03-024337
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20031028
FILED AS OF DATE:		20031031

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			POWELL WILLIAM O III
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001268018

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-08132
		FILM NUMBER:		03969663

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O LA QUINTA CORP
		STREET 2:		909 HIDDEN RIDGE STE 600
		CITY:			IRVING
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			75038

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			LA QUINTA CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000313749
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	HOTELS & MOTELS [7011]
		IRS NUMBER:				953419438
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		909 HIDDEN RIDGE
		STREET 2:		STE 600
		CITY:			IRVING
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			75038
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2144926600

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		LA QUINTA CORPORATION
		STREET 2:		909 HIDDEN RIDGE
		CITY:			IRVING
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			75038

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	MEDITRUST OPERATING CO
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19971114

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	SANTA ANITA OPERATING CO
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19920703
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>a3.xml
<DESCRIPTION>3
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>
  <periodOfReport>2003-10-28</periodOfReport>
    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000313749</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>LA QUINTA CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>LQI</issuerTradingSymbol>
  </issuer>
  <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001268018</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>POWELL WILLIAM O III</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>909 HIDDEN RIDGE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 600</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>IRVING</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>TX</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>75038</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
      <isDirector>0</isDirector>
      <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
      <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
      <isOther>0</isOther>
      <officerTitle>VP &amp; Chief Accounting Officer</officerTitle>
    </reportingOwnerRelationship>
  </reportingOwner>
  <nonDerivativeTable>
    <nonDerivativeHolding>
      <securityTitle>
        <value>Paired Shares</value>
        <footnoteId id="F1"/>
      </securityTitle>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
        <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
          <value>15000</value>
          <footnoteId id="F2"/>
        </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
        <directOrIndirectOwnership>
          <value>D</value>
        </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
    </nonDerivativeHolding>
  </nonDerivativeTable>
  <derivativeTable>
    <derivativeHolding>
      <securityTitle>
        <value>Stock Option (right to buy)</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <conversionOrExercisePrice>
        <value>6.14</value>
      </conversionOrExercisePrice>
      <exerciseDate>
        <footnoteId id="F3"/>
      </exerciseDate>
      <expirationDate>
        <value>2013-10-28</value>
      </expirationDate>
      <underlyingSecurity>
        <underlyingSecurityTitle>
          <value>Paired Shares</value>
          <footnoteId id="F1"/>
        </underlyingSecurityTitle>
        <underlyingSecurityShares>
          <value>30000</value>
        </underlyingSecurityShares>
      </underlyingSecurity>
      <ownershipNature>
        <directOrIndirectOwnership>
          <value>D</value>
        </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
    </derivativeHolding>
  </derivativeTable>
  <footnotes>
    <footnote id="F1">Paired Shares consist of one share of common stock of La Quinta Corporation and one share of Class B common stock of La Quinta Properties, Inc., which shares are paired and traded as a single unit.</footnote>
    <footnote id="F2">Paired Shares fully vest on October 28, 2006.</footnote>
    <footnote id="F3">The Reporting Person holds an option to purchase 30,000 Paired Shares which was granted on 10/28/03.  One-fourth of the option to purchase 30,000 Paired Shares vests on each anniversary of the grant date.</footnote>
  </footnotes>
  <ownerSignature>
    <signatureName>/s/ William O. Powell</signatureName>
    <signatureDate>2003-10-31</signatureDate>
  </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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