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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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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001183693-04-000004.txt : 20040902
<SEC-HEADER>0001183693-04-000004.hdr.sgml : 20040902
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040902142258
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001183693-04-000004
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040831
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040902
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20040902

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			SMITH JAMES C
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001183693

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-15846
		FILM NUMBER:		041013466

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O FIRST HEALTH GROUP CORP
		STREET 2:		3200 HIGHLAND AVENUE
		CITY:			DOWNERS GROVE
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60515

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			FIRST HEALTH GROUP CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000812910
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	HOSPITAL & MEDICAL SERVICE PLANS [6324]
		IRS NUMBER:				363307583
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		3200 HIGHLAND AVENUE
		CITY:			DOWNERS GROVE
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60515
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6307377900

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		3200 HIGHLAND AVENUE
		CITY:			DOWNERS GROVE
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60515

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	HEALTHCARE COMPARE CORP/DE/
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19920703
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-08-31</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000812910</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>FIRST HEALTH GROUP CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>FHCC</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001183693</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>SMITH JAMES C</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O FIRST HEALTH GROUP CORP</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>3200 HIGHLAND AVENUE</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>DOWNERS GROVE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>IL</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>60515</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Chairman of the Board</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-08-31</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>1264</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>12.9625</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>550211</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Acquired pursuant to The Company's 1989 Employee Stock Purchase Plan and therefore exempt under Section 16B of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 pursuant to rule 16b-3.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">186,098 shares are held by the James C. and Norma I. Smith Foundation.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Susan T. Smith, Attorney in Fact for James C. Smith</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-09-02</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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