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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,
 OcY6LeQNHd0PH+mONR/5k000YnkEmcA96FhuviPTISnA7PDjojqnAA0DgGVTnjB2
 vCapFhazQJDGH68dVSQZUw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000049071-03-000135.txt : 20031224
<SEC-HEADER>0000049071-03-000135.hdr.sgml : 20031224
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20031224123058
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000049071-03-000135
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20031222
FILED AS OF DATE:		20031224

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			HUMANA INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000049071
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	HOSPITAL & MEDICAL SERVICE PLANS [6324]
		IRS NUMBER:				610647538
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		500 W MAIN ST
		CITY:			LOUISVILLE
		STATE:			KY
		ZIP:			40202
		BUSINESS PHONE:		5025801000

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	EXTENDICARE INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19740404

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	HERITAGE HOUSE OF AMERICA INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19671129

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			HIPWELL ARTHUR P
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001018656

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-05975
		FILM NUMBER:		031073344

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		500 WEST MAIN STREET
		CITY:			LOUISVILLE
		STATE:			KY
		ZIP:			40202
		BUSINESS PHONE:		5025803778

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		500 WEST MAIN STREET
		CITY:			LOUISVILLE
		STATE:			KY
		ZIP:			40202
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
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<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType><periodOfReport>2003-12-22</periodOfReport>
    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000049071</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>HUMANA INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>HUM</issuerTradingSymbol></issuer><reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001018656</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>HIPWELL ARTHUR P</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>HUMANA INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>500 WEST MAIN STREET</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>LOUISVILLE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>KY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>40202</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
<isDirector>0</isDirector><isOfficer>1</isOfficer><isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner><isOther>0</isOther><officerTitle>Sr VP &amp; General Counsel</officerTitle></reportingOwnerRelationship></reportingOwner><nonDerivativeTable><nonDerivativeTransaction><securityTitle><value>Humana Common</value><footnoteId id="F1"/></securityTitle><transactionDate><value>2003-12-22</value></transactionDate><transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType><transactionCode>G</transactionCode><equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved></transactionCoding><transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>851</value></transactionShares><transactionPricePerShare><value>0</value></transactionPricePerShare><transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>D</value></transactionAcquiredDisposedCode></transactionAmounts><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>98539</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirect
Ownership><natureOfOwnership><value/></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></nonDerivativeTransaction><nonDerivativeTransaction><securityTitle><value>Humana Common</value><footnoteId id="F1"/></securityTitle><transactionDate><value>2003-12-22</value></transactionDate><transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType><transactionCode>G</transactionCode><equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved></transactionCoding><transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>300</value></transactionShares><transactionPricePerShare><value>0</value></transactionPricePerShare><transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>A</value></transactionAcquiredDisposedCode></transactionAmounts><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>300</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>I</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value>See Footnote</value><footnoteId id="F2"/></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></nonDerivativeTr
ansaction><nonDerivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Humana Common</value><footnoteId id="F1"/></securityTitle><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>17350</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>I</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value>See Footnote</value><footnoteId id="F3"/></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></nonDerivativeHolding></nonDerivativeTable><derivativeTable><derivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Options</value><footnoteId id="F4"/></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><value>17.9375</value></conversionOrExercisePrice><exerciseDate><footnoteId id="F6"/></exerciseDate><expirationDate><value>2004-01-13</value></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Humana Common</value><footnoteId id="F1"/></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>75000</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><postTransactionAmounts><shar
esOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>75000</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value/></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeHolding><derivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Options</value><footnoteId id="F4"/></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><value>16.9375</value></conversionOrExercisePrice><exerciseDate><footnoteId id="F7"/></exerciseDate><expirationDate><value>2004-07-20</value></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Humana Common</value><footnoteId id="F1"/></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>25000</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>25000</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value/>
</natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeHolding><derivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Options</value><footnoteId id="F5"/></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><value>15.5938</value></conversionOrExercisePrice><exerciseDate><footnoteId id="F8"/></exerciseDate><expirationDate><footnoteId id="F8"/></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Humana Common</value><footnoteId id="F1"/></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>127264</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>127264</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value/></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeHolding><derivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Options</value><footnoteId id="F5"/></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><value>15.5938</value></conversionOrExercisePr
ice><exerciseDate><footnoteId id="F9"/></exerciseDate><expirationDate><value>2008-01-15</value></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Humana Common</value><footnoteId id="F1"/></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>4316</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>4316</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value/></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeHolding><derivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Options</value><footnoteId id="F5"/></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><value>9.5938</value></conversionOrExercisePrice><exerciseDate><footnoteId id="F10"/></exerciseDate><expirationDate><value>2009-09-09</value></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Humana Common</value><footnoteId id="F1"/></underlyingSecuri
tyTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>50000</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>50000</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value/></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeHolding><derivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Options</value><footnoteId id="F5"/></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><value>12.995</value></conversionOrExercisePrice><exerciseDate><footnoteId id="F11"/></exerciseDate><expirationDate><value>2012-03-13</value></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Humana Common</value><footnoteId id="F1"/></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>45000</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>45000</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTra
nsactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value/></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeHolding><derivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Options</value><footnoteId id="F5"/></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><value>9.26</value></conversionOrExercisePrice><exerciseDate><footnoteId id="F12"/></exerciseDate><expirationDate><value>2013-03-13</value></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Humana Common</value><footnoteId id="F1"/></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>50000</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>50000</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value/></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeHolding><derivativeHolding><securityTitle><
value>Phantom Stock Units</value></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><footnoteId id="F13"/></conversionOrExercisePrice><exerciseDate><footnoteId id="F13"/></exerciseDate><expirationDate><footnoteId id="F13"/></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Humana Common</value><footnoteId id="F1"/></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>7601</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>7601</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>I</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value>See Footnote</value><footnoteId id="F13"/></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeHolding></derivativeTable><footnotes><footnote id="F1">Each share of Common Stock contains a Right adopted on March 5, 1987, pursuant to the Company Rights Agreement, as amended and restated on February 14, 1996, and amended as of May 27
, 1998 and March 1, 1999, which entitles holders of the Company's Common Stock, in the  event certain specified events occur, to acquire 1/100 of a share of Series A Participating Preferred Stock at a price of $145 per fractional share.</footnote><footnote id="F2">Shares held on behalf of minor children.</footnote><footnote id="F3">Shares held for the benefit of reporting person as of November 30, 2003 under the Humana Retirement &amp; Savings Plan including a routine disposition of shares to fund an administrative fee assessment under a Tax-Conditioned Plan, both exempt under Rule 16b-3(c).</footnote><footnote id="F4">Right to buy pursuant to the Company's 1989 Stock Option Plan for Employees.</footnote><footnote id="F5">Right to buy pursuant to the Company's 1996 Stock Incentive Plan for Employees.</footnote><footnote id="F6">Non-Qualified stock options granted to reporting person on 1/13/94 and fully vested on 9/1/99.</footnote><footnote id="F7">Non-Qualified stock options granted to reporting person on 7
/20/94 and fully vested on 9/1/99.</footnote><footnote id="F8">Non-Qualified stock options granted to reporting person on 9/17/98, fully vested on 9/1/99 with 68,800 options expiring on 1/12/05, 36,680 options expiring on 1/9/2007 and 21,784 options expiring on 1/15/2008.</footnote><footnote id="F9">Incentive stock options granted to reporting person on 9/17/98 and fully vested on 9/1/99.</footnote><footnote id="F10">Incentive and Non-Qualified stock options granted to reporting person on 9/9/99 and fully vested on 9/9/02.</footnote><footnote id="F11">Incentive and Non-Qualified stock options granted to reporting person on 3/13/02, vesting in three increments each from 3/13/03 to 3/13/05.</footnote><footnote id="F12">Incentive and Non-Qualified stock options granted to reporting person on 3/13/03, NQ options vesting in three increments from 3/13/04 to 3/13/06, and ISO's vesting on 3/13/06.</footnote><footnote id="F13">Phantom Stock Units held for the benefit of reporting person as of November 30, 2003, conve
rtible into common stock on a 1-for-1 basis, under the Humana Excess Plan, exempt under Rule 16b-3(d).</footnote></footnotes><remarks/><ownerSignature><signatureName>Arthur P. Hipwell</signatureName><signatureDate>2003-12-22</signatureDate></ownerSignature></ownershipDocument>

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</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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