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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001183703-03-000002.txt : 20031230
<SEC-HEADER>0001183703-03-000002.hdr.sgml : 20031230
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20031230163529
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001183703-03-000002
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20031229
FILED AS OF DATE:		20031230

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			SMITH SUSAN T
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001183703

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-15846
		FILM NUMBER:		031078115

	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 AVE
		STREET 2:		HEALTH COMPARE CORP
		CITY:			DOWNERS GROVE
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60515
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6302417900

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		3200 HIGHLAND AVENUE
		STREET 2:		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>
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    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

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    <periodOfReport>2003-12-29</periodOfReport>


    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

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

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        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001183703</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>SMITH SUSAN T</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>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Vice President &amp; Secretary</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>

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            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
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            <transactionAmounts>
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                <transactionPricePerShare>
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    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Thomas Mastri -Attorney in fact for Susan T. Smith</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2003-12-30</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>

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