-----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,
 RFdBe5ddvAPqttB+uykzT6rxHQapUJIiGEhY2/pHo9/LTbq+EQ+W1sURwtlFEIZG
 9R5FJpR5jLITjmDKG/V/7A==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001179110-03-013399.txt : 20031224
<SEC-HEADER>0001179110-03-013399.hdr.sgml : 20031224
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20031224125629
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001179110-03-013399
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20031223
FILED AS OF DATE:		20031224

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ROSS PETER M
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001274426

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-14681
		FILM NUMBER:		031073447

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			PENN TREATY AMERICAN CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000814181
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	ACCIDENT & HEALTH INSURANCE [6321]
		IRS NUMBER:				231664166
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			PA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		3440 LEHIGH ST
		CITY:			ALLENTOWN
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			18103
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6109652222

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		3440 LEHIGH ST
		CITY:			ALLENTOWN
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			18103
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 3 -
<TEXT>
<XML>
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>
<periodOfReport>2003-12-23</periodOfReport>
    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000814181</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>PENN TREATY AMERICAN CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>PTA</issuerTradingSymbol>
</issuer>
<reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001274426</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>ROSS PETER M</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>3440 LEHIGH STREET</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>ALLENTOWN</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>PA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>18103</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
<isDirector>1</isDirector>
<isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
<isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
<isOther>0</isOther>
<officerTitle></officerTitle>
<otherText></otherText>
</reportingOwnerRelationship>
</reportingOwner>
<nonDerivativeTable><nonDerivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Common Stock</value>
</securityTitle>
<postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>5000</value>
</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
</postTransactionAmounts>
<ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>I</value>
</directOrIndirectOwnership>
<natureOfOwnership><value>Footnote</value>
<footnoteId id="F1"></footnoteId>
</natureOfOwnership>
</ownershipNature>
</nonDerivativeHolding>
</nonDerivativeTable>
<derivativeTable></derivativeTable>
<footnotes><footnote id="F1">Shares held in Trust, for which reporting person is settlor and trustee.</footnote>
</footnotes>
<ownerSignature><signatureName>/s/ Linda G. Carraghan, by power of attorney for Peter M. Ross</signatureName>
<signatureDate>2003-12-24</signatureDate>
</ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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