-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 OsmSRcR+z+RD+VE4w6fVMhOtdBCAfw8XI4pgAvMy0opkl8OaEVp5H4CzVbQAUny5
 ZiLtMRogI+ePdpRXa6usUg==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001127602-09-002519.txt : 20090204
<SEC-HEADER>0001127602-09-002519.hdr.sgml : 20090204
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20090204122656
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001127602-09-002519
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20090203
FILED AS OF DATE:		20090204
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20090204

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Collar Mark A
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001426353

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-12379
		FILM NUMBER:		09567503

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		513-232-4815

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		382 BISHOPBRIDGE DR
		CITY:			CINCINNATI
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			45255

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:		4000 SMITH ROAD
		CITY:			CINCINNATI
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			45209
		BUSINESS PHONE:		5139795782

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		4000 SMITH ROAD
		CITY:			CINCINNATI
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			45209
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>form3.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0203</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2009-02-03</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000708955</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP /OH/</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>FFBC</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001426353</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Collar Mark A</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>382 BISHOPSBRIDGE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>CINCINNATI</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>OH</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>45255</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>600</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes></footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/Terri J Ziepfel, POA</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2009-02-04</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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