-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
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,
 Bl0gUS73FoCCSJCYHSrJR5vHeppSzlUO5LhQOD1tYvl/d9KFtgii+NVQoDUzlkrv
 nI+EC9Rf2mkObnf/4b6Ljw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001266375-03-000010.txt : 20031212
<SEC-HEADER>0001266375-03-000010.hdr.sgml : 20031212
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20031212123055
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001266375-03-000010
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20031211
FILED AS OF DATE:		20031212

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			EMISPHERE TECHNOLOGIES INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000805326
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	PHARMACEUTICAL PREPARATIONS [2834]
		IRS NUMBER:				133306985
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		765 OLD SAW MILL RIVER ROAD
		CITY:			TARRYTOWN
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10591
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9143472220

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		765 OLD SAW MILL RIVER ROAD
		CITY:			TARRYTOWN
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10591

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	CLINICAL TECHNOLOGIES ASSOCIATES INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19920128

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BLACK MICHAEL E
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001271864

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-10615
		FILM NUMBER:		031051183

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		765 OLD SAW MILL RIVER RD
		CITY:			TARRYTOWN
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10951
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9145938418

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		765 OLD SAW MILL RIVER RD
		CITY:			TARRYTOWN
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10951
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgardoc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2003-12-11</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000805326</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>EMISPHERE TECHNOLOGIES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>EMIS</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001271864</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>BLACK MICHAEL E</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>765 OLD SAW MILL RIVER ROAD</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>TARRYTOWN</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10591</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>

        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>500</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>

    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Michael E. Black</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2003-12-12</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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