-----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,
 IOlbinBuesR0ICcbrYxINOrK5yLUaCu//oydBO3YLisd5FMKzfUnOe8V87/Bax9Q
 NvC2szdIo2YC6rVa3pNBPw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001205476-03-000001.txt : 20030930
<SEC-HEADER>0001205476-03-000001.hdr.sgml : 20030930
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030930172955
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001205476-03-000001
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030411
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030930

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			HEYDEN ERIC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001205476

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-13788
		FILM NUMBER:		03918445

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		610 SUMMERWIND CIRCLE
		CITY:			NASHVILLE
		STATE:			TN
		ZIP:			37215

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			NELSON THOMAS INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000071023
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	BOOKS: PUBLISHING OR PUBLISHING AND PRINTING [2731]
		IRS NUMBER:				620679364
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			TN
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0331

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		501 NELSON PLACE
		CITY:			NASHVILLE
		STATE:			TN
		ZIP:			37214-1000
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6158899000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		P O BOX 141000
		CITY:			NASHVILLE
		STATE:			TN
		ZIP:			37214-1000

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	ROYAL PUBLISHERS INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19721019
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>

<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2003-04-11</periodOfReport>


    <notSubjectToSection16>1</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000071023</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>NELSON THOMAS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>TNM</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001205476</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>HEYDEN ERIC</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>610 SUMMERWIND CIRCLE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NASHVILLE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>TN</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>37215</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>1</isOther>
            <otherText>Former V.P. &amp; General Counsel</otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>


    <remarks>Reportable person has a power of attorney on file with the security issuer authorizing and designating Les Hottovy or Joe Powers to sign on his behalf.</remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Les Hottovy, power of attorney for Eric Heyden</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2003-09-30</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----