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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,
 WjBSmFXy+9Ehw+GuAB5EwRk6MMq4y7RLI7jBGRj8OxT0JDR0daXP1LHzjGj4hT2p
 mqlx4g6/TZOQYor6geDyuQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000708955-04-000022.txt : 20040123
<SEC-HEADER>0000708955-04-000022.hdr.sgml : 20040123
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040123170011
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000708955-04-000022
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040121
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040123

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

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MURRELL III C THOMAS
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001167408

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-12379
		FILM NUMBER:		04541264

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP
		STREET 2:		300 HIGHSTREET PO BOX 476
		CITY:			HAMILTON
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			45012
		BUSINESS PHONE:		5138674951

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		10946 ALLENBURST BLVD
		STREET 2:		APT E
		CITY:			CINCINNATI
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			45241
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>c0001167408d20040123f4f.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
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</conversionOrExercisePrice><exerciseDate><value>2004-01-22</value></exerciseDate><expirationDate><value>2013-01-22</value></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common Stock</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>3969</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>3969</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value></value></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeHolding><derivativeTransaction><securityTitle><value>2004 (ISO) Stock Option</value></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><value>17.09</value></conversionOrExercisePrice><transactionDate><value>2004-01-21</value></transactionDate><deemedExecutionDate></deemedExecutionDate><transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType><transactionCode>A</transactionCode><equityS
wapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved><footnoteId id="F2"/></transactionCoding><transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>2500</value></transactionShares><transactionPricePerShare><value>17.09</value></transactionPricePerShare><transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>A</value></transactionAcquiredDisposedCode></transactionAmounts><exerciseDate><value>2005-01-21</value></exerciseDate><expirationDate><value>2014-01-21</value></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common Stock</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>2500</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>2500</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value></value></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeTransaction></derivativeTable><footnotes><footnote id="F1">Vesting of Restricted St
ock Award</footnote><footnote id="F2">Pursuant to FFBC Stock Option / Award Plan(s)</footnote><footnote id="F3">Annual update per statement</footnote></footnotes><ownerSignature><signatureName>Terri J. Ziepfel</signatureName><signatureDate>2004-01-23</signatureDate></ownerSignature></ownershipDocument>

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</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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