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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 OxGAdysCvcGrvM6dwZvb6A==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001181431-04-060169.txt : 20041221
<SEC-HEADER>0001181431-04-060169.hdr.sgml : 20041221
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20041221164904
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001181431-04-060169
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20041220
FILED AS OF DATE:		20041221
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20041221

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			NDCHEALTH CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000070033
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SERVICES-BUSINESS SERVICES, NEC [7389]
		IRS NUMBER:				580977458
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0531

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		NDCHEALTH CORPORATION
		STREET 2:		NDC PLAZA
		CITY:			ATLANTA
		STATE:			GA
		ZIP:			30329
		BUSINESS PHONE:		4047282000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		NDC PLAZA
		CITY:			ATLANTA
		STATE:			GA
		ZIP:			30329-2010

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	NATIONAL DATA CORP
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19920703

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			HOFF WALTER M
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001199349

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-12392
		FILM NUMBER:		041217992

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		NDC PLAZA
		CITY:			ATLANTA
		STATE:			GA
		ZIP:			30329
		BUSINESS PHONE:		404.728.2239

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1564 NE EXPRESSWAY
		STREET 2:		ATTN B J PURCELL
		CITY:			ATLANTA
		STATE:			GA
		ZIP:			30329
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>rrd62266.xml
<DESCRIPTION>SURRENDER SHARES FOR TAXES
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-12-20</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000070033</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>NDCHEALTH CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>NDC</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001199349</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>HOFF WALTER M</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>NDCHEALTH CORPORATION</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>NDC PLAZA</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>ATLANTA</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>GA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>30329</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Chairman</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-12-20</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>F</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>3884</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>184144</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The shares were surrendered to the Company by the reporting person to satisfy tax withholding obligations.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>B.J. Purcell, as Power of Attorney for Walter M. Hoff</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-12-21</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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