-----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,
 WG4nkSgLy9XuV0GDlO1ydO7+pubm9TqL88TZJnW9m41F1H6vU4mXa5nboy4VHgf/
 1IMnGdi2wAP/PwE6eEs3UQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000063541-04-000027.txt : 20040517
<SEC-HEADER>0000063541-04-000027.hdr.sgml : 20040517
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040517104641
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000063541-04-000027
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040514
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040517

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CLARK HOWARD LONGSTRETH JR
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001181363
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	FIRE, MARINE & CASUALTY INSURANCE [6331]
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			D0
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-00655
		FILM NUMBER:		04810277

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O WHITE MOUNTAINS INSURANCE GROUP, LTD
		STREET 2:		80 SOUTH MAIN STREET
		CITY:			HANOVER
		STATE:			NH
		ZIP:			03755
		BUSINESS PHONE:		603 640 2200

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MAYTAG CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000063541
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCES [3630]
		IRS NUMBER:				420401785
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		403 W 4TH ST N
		CITY:			NEWTON
		STATE:			IA
		ZIP:			50208
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6417927000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		403 W. 4TH STREET NW
		CITY:			NEWTON
		STATE:			IA
		ZIP:			50208

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	MAYTAG CO
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19870602
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>doc4.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-05-14</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000063541</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>MAYTAG CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>MYG</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001181363</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>CLARK HOWARD LONGSTRETH JR</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>403 WEST FOURTH STREET NORTH</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>P.O. BOX 39</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEWTON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>IA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>50208</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable></nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Non-Employee Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>25.25</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-05-14</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>3000.00</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>25.25</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2007-05-14</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2014-05-14</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>3000.00</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>3000.00</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>By Patricia J. Martin, as atty in fact.</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-05-17</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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