-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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 QYMhacaVw4+7rbClezkAsw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000892251-04-000264.txt : 20040218
<SEC-HEADER>0000892251-04-000264.hdr.sgml : 20040218
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040218161833
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000892251-04-000264
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040215
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040218

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			VON LEHMAN JOHN I
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001105805

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-06026
		FILM NUMBER:		04613478

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		7000 MIDLAND BLVD
		CITY:			AMELIA
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			45102
		BUSINESS PHONE:		5139437500

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MIDLAND CO
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000066025
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	FIRE, MARINE & CASUALTY INSURANCE [6331]
		IRS NUMBER:				310742526
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			OH
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		7000 MIDLAND BLVD
		STREET 2:		N/A
		CITY:			AMELIA
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			45102-2607
		BUSINESS PHONE:		5139437100

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		N/A
		STREET 2:		P O BOX 1256
		CITY:			CINCINNATI
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			45201
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>vonlehman4021504_ex.xml
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-02-15</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000066025</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>MIDLAND CO</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>MLAN</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001105805</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>VON LEHMAN JOHN I</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>7000 MIDLAND BLVD</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>AMELIA</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>OH</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>45102</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Executive VP, CFO and Secretar</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
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            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-02-15</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>3175</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
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                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
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                <value>Stock Option</value>
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            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
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            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
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            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2005-02-14</value>
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            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
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                <underlyingSecurityShares>
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                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>2805</value>
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                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
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        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Option</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>17.23</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2006-02-14</value>
            </exerciseDate>
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                <value>2013-02-13</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
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            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
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        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Option</value>
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            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>17.23</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2007-02-14</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2013-02-13</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>2805</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
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            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>2805</value>
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            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
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        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Shares were earned by Mr. Von Lehman based on performance rights awarded February 15, 2001 pursuant to the 1992 Incentive Stock Plan, as amended and restated.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Lori Birkenhauer, Attorney-in-Fact for John I. Von Lehman</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-02-18</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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