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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 KeHLdjDkX2ykhxSs8ARkGcpQ5k+1vNgo7xfb39Gz500WSD1efmbe1CTGFZLVJnUu
 zCcSgrxGA7xKdw6KwukzrQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>9999999995-09-000437.txt : 20090220
<SEC-HEADER>9999999995-09-000437.hdr.sgml : 20090220
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20090220001512
ACCESSION NUMBER:		9999999995-09-000437
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	EFFECT
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
FILED AS OF DATE:		20090219
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20090220
EFFECTIVENESS DATE:		20090219

FILER:

	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

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		EFFECT
		SEC ACT:		1933 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	333-156841
		FILM NUMBER:		09623049

	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>EFFECT
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<edgarSubmission>

    <schemaVersion>X0101</schemaVersion>

    <submissionType>EFFECT</submissionType>

    <act>33</act>

    <testOrLive>LIVE</testOrLive>

    <effectiveData>
        <finalEffectivenessDispDate>2009-02-19</finalEffectivenessDispDate>
        <finalEffectivenessDispTime>14:00:00</finalEffectivenessDispTime>
        <form>S-3</form>
        <filer>
            <cik>0000708955</cik>
            <entityName>FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP /OH/</entityName>
            <fileNumber>333-156841</fileNumber>
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</edgarSubmission>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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