-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 LmrNK6Wp5FMMQns9e3BOiMzpDVvgKR23mCej7GLJjWtbLpcMlz4IOxqcx+P5/ZXp
 bq7s6eUpuseJqqcY3iai6g==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000049071-04-000009.txt : 20040106
<SEC-HEADER>0000049071-04-000009.hdr.sgml : 20040106
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040106130301
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000049071-04-000009
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040102
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040106

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:			LERNER IRWIN
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001018651

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-05975
		FILM NUMBER:		04508969

	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>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType><periodOfReport>2004-01-02</periodOfReport>
    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000049071</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>HUMANA INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>HUM</issuerTradingSymbol></issuer><reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001018651</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>LERNER IRWIN</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>17 EAST GREENBROOK ROAD</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NORTH CALDWELL</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NJ</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>07006</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
<isDirector>1</isDirector><isOfficer>0</isOfficer><isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner><isOther>0</isOther></reportingOwnerRelationship></reportingOwner><nonDerivativeTable><nonDerivativeTransaction><securityTitle><value>Humana Common</value><footnoteId id="F1"/></securityTitle><transactionDate><value>2004-01-02</value></transactionDate><transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType><transactionCode>A</transactionCode><equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved><footnoteId id="F5"/></transactionCoding><transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>3802</value></transactionShares><transactionPricePerShare><value>23.05</value></transactionPricePerShare><transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>A</value></transactionAcquiredDisposedCode></transactionAmounts><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>30637</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><
value/></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></nonDerivativeTransaction><nonDerivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Humana Common</value><footnoteId id="F1"/></securityTitle><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>1000</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>I</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value>See Footnote</value><footnoteId id="F2"/></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></nonDerivativeHolding></nonDerivativeTable><derivativeTable><derivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Options</value><footnoteId id="F3"/></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><value>22.4375</value></conversionOrExercisePrice><exerciseDate><value>1996-01-03</value></exerciseDate><expirationDate><value>2005-01-03</value></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Humana Common</value><footnoteId id="F1"/></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>5000</value></underlyingS
ecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>5000</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value/></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeHolding><derivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Options</value><footnoteId id="F3"/></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><value>26.9375</value></conversionOrExercisePrice><exerciseDate><value>1997-01-02</value></exerciseDate><expirationDate><value>2006-01-02</value></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Humana Common</value><footnoteId id="F1"/></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>5000</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>5000</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value
>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value/></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeHolding><derivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Options</value><footnoteId id="F3"/></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><value>18.9375</value></conversionOrExercisePrice><exerciseDate><value>1998-01-02</value></exerciseDate><expirationDate><value>2007-01-02</value></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Humana Common</value><footnoteId id="F1"/></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>5000</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>5000</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value/></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeHolding><derivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Options</value><footnoteId id="F3"/></securityTitle><con
versionOrExercisePrice><value>21.25</value></conversionOrExercisePrice><exerciseDate><value>1999-01-02</value></exerciseDate><expirationDate><value>2008-01-02</value></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Humana Common</value><footnoteId id="F1"/></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>5000</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>5000</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value/></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeHolding><derivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Options</value><footnoteId id="F3"/></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><value>18.7813</value></conversionOrExercisePrice><exerciseDate><value>2000-01-04</value></exerciseDate><expirationDate><value>2009-01-04</value></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecuri
tyTitle><value>Humana Common</value><footnoteId id="F1"/></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>5000</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>5000</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value/></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeHolding><derivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Options</value><footnoteId id="F3"/></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><value>7.875</value></conversionOrExercisePrice><exerciseDate><value>2001-01-03</value></exerciseDate><expirationDate><value>2010-01-02</value></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Humana Common</value><footnoteId id="F1"/></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>5000</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingT
ransaction><value>5000</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>14.7813</value></conversionOrExercisePrice><exerciseDate><value>2002-01-02</value></exerciseDate><expirationDate><value>2011-01-02</value></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Humana Common</value><footnoteId id="F1"/></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>5000</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>5000</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value/></natureOfOwners
hip></ownershipNature></derivativeHolding><derivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Options</value><footnoteId id="F4"/></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><value>11.55</value></conversionOrExercisePrice><exerciseDate><value>2003-01-02</value></exerciseDate><expirationDate><value>2012-01-02</value></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Humana Common</value><footnoteId id="F1"/></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>5000</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>5000</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>10.19</value></conversionOrExercisePrice><exerciseDat
e><value>2004-01-02</value></exerciseDate><expirationDate><value>2013-01-02</value></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Humana Common</value><footnoteId id="F1"/></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>5000</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>5000</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value/></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeHolding><derivativeTransaction><securityTitle><value>Options</value><footnoteId id="F6"/></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><value>23.05</value></conversionOrExercisePrice><transactionDate><value>2004-01-02</value></transactionDate><transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType><transactionCode>A</transactionCode><equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved></transactionCoding><transact
ionAmounts><transactionShares><value>2500</value></transactionShares><transactionPricePerShare><value>23.05</value></transactionPricePerShare><transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>A</value></transactionAcquiredDisposedCode></transactionAmounts><exerciseDate><value>2005-01-02</value></exerciseDate><expirationDate><value>2014-01-02</value></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Humana Common</value><footnoteId id="F1"/></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>2500</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>2500</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value/></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeTransaction></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 by reporting person's spouse.</footnote><footnote id="F3">Right to buy pursuant to Humana Inc.'s 1989 Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors.</footnote><footnote id="F4">Right to buy pursuant to Humana Inc.'s 1996 Incentive Stock Option Plan.</footnote><footnote id="F5">Award of stock pursuant to Humana Inc.'s 2003 Stock Incentive Plan in lieu of director fees exempt under 16(b)-3(d)(1).</footnote><footnote id="F6">Right to buy pursuant to Humana Inc.'s 2003 Stock Incentive Plan.</footnote></footnotes><remarks/><ownerSignature><signatureName>Irwin Lerner</signatureName><signatureDate>2004-01-02</signatureDate></ownerSignature></ownershipDocume
nt>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----