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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 nAy5vceKOAzvhC1wlFYrTw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001266375-04-000008.txt : 20040524
<SEC-HEADER>0001266375-04-000008.hdr.sgml : 20040524
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040524172555
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001266375-04-000008
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040520
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040524

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:			CARTER STEPHEN K
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001040029

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-10615
		FILM NUMBER:		04827802

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		VION PHARMACEUTICALS INC
		STREET 2:		4 SCIENCE PARK
		CITY:			NEW HAVEN
		STATE:			CT
		ZIP:			06511
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2034984210

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		VION PHARMACEUTICALS INC
		STREET 2:		4 SCIENCE PARK
		CITY:			NEW HAVEN
		STATE:			CT
		ZIP:			06511
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgardoc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-05-20</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001040029</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>CARTER STEPHEN K</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>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-05-20</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>1924</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1924</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Shares will vest on the six month anniversary of the grant date provided the director continuously serves as a director from the grant date through such vesting date.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Shares are granted at no cost.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Stephen K Carter</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-05-24</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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