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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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 AEFKVOqAVF5pIQLgV8JzFA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001209191-04-016708.txt : 20040319
<SEC-HEADER>0001209191-04-016708.hdr.sgml : 20040319
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040319164336
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001209191-04-016708
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040317
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040319

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			UNITED COMMUNITY FINANCIAL CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000707886
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SAVINGS INSTITUTIONS, NOT FEDERALLY CHARTERED [6036]
		IRS NUMBER:				341856319
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			OH
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		275 FEDERAL PLAZA WEST
		CITY:			YOUNGSTOWN
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			44503-1203
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3307420500

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			STEELE ROBERT J JR
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001228735

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-24399
		FILM NUMBER:		04680469

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		275 FEDERAL PLAZA WEST
		CITY:			YOUNGSTOWN
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			44503
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3307420500

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		275 FEDERAL PLAZA WEST
		CITY:			YOUNGSTOWN
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			44503
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>bci06505_bco1.xml
<DESCRIPTION>MAIN DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-03-17</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000707886</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>UNITED COMMUNITY FINANCIAL CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>UCFC</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001228735</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>STEELE ROBERT J JR</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>881 RAVINE DRIVE SOUTH</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>MCDONALD</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>OH</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>44437</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>1</isOther>
            <otherText>Vice President of HS&amp;L Co.</otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>12.73</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-03-17</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>21485</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2004-03-17</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2014-03-17</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Shares</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>21485</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>21485</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Robert J. Steele, Jr., by Patrick A. Kelly P.O.A.</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-03-19</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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