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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 GQrlY3RWnayyGwW39kbIK63HoSVvvCW5iuXFtTu4vN8RV4BFGE3N5UNWmXHvw25Y
 uYWSbmdTb2c4FtbT1ixhVQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000708955-04-000012.txt : 20040120
<SEC-HEADER>0000708955-04-000012.hdr.sgml : 20040119
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040120115857
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000708955-04-000012
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040117
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040120

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			HOCKEMEYER REX A
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001184035

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-12379
		FILM NUMBER:		04531668

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		8366 MEADOWLAND DR
		CITY:			WEST CHESTER
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			45069
		BUSINESS PHONE:		5137796454

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP /OH/
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000708955
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	NATIONAL COMMERCIAL BANKS [6021]
		IRS NUMBER:				311042001
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			OH
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		300 HIGH ST
		CITY:			HAMILTON
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			45011
		BUSINESS PHONE:		5138674700

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		300 HIGH ST
		CITY:			HAMILTON
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			45011
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>c0001184035d20040120f4f.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
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shipNature></derivativeHolding><derivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>2001 (NQ) Stock Option</value></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><value>16.0124</value></conversionOrExercisePrice><exerciseDate><value>2002-01-22</value></exerciseDate><expirationDate><value>2011-01-22</value></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common Stock</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>1631</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>1631</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value></value></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeHolding><derivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>2002 (ISO) Stock Option</value></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><value>17.2</value></conversionOrExercisePrice><exerciseDate><value>2003-01-17</value></exercis
eDate><expirationDate><value>2012-01-17</value></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common Stock</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>5000</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>5000</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value></value></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeHolding><derivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>2003 (ISO) Stock Option</value></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><value>16.58</value></conversionOrExercisePrice><exerciseDate><value>2004-01-22</value></exerciseDate><expirationDate><value>2013-01-22</value></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common Stock</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>5000</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underl
yingSecurity><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>5000</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value></value></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeHolding></derivativeTable><footnotes><footnote id="F1">Vesting of Restricted Stock Award</footnote></footnotes><ownerSignature><signatureName>Terri J. Ziepfel</signatureName><signatureDate>2004-01-20</signatureDate></ownerSignature></ownershipDocument>

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</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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