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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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 U5dozo119HOOj5Kfm/10Iw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000854395-04-000044.txt : 20040806
<SEC-HEADER>0000854395-04-000044.hdr.sgml : 20040806
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040806114959
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000854395-04-000044
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040802
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040806

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			FIRST FINANCIAL SERVICE CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000854395
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SAVINGS INSTITUTION, FEDERALLY CHARTERED [6035]
		IRS NUMBER:				611168311
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			KY
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2323 RING ROAD
		CITY:			ELIZABETHTOWN
		STATE:			KY
		ZIP:			42701
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2707652131

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2323 RING ROAD
		CITY:			ELIZABETHTOWN
		STATE:			KY
		ZIP:			42701

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	FIRST FEDERAL FINANCIAL CORPORATION OF KENTUCKY
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19920703

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			NEWCOMB JOHN L JR
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001205150

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-18832
		FILM NUMBER:		04956782

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		PO BOX 5006
		CITY:			ELIZABETHTOWN
		STATE:			KY
		ZIP:			42702-5006
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2707652131

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		FIRST FEDERAL SAVINGS BANK
		STREET 2:		2323 RING ROAD
		CITY:			ELIZABETHTOWN
		STATE:			KY
		ZIP:			42701
</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>2004-08-02</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000854395</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>FIRST FINANCIAL SERVICE CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>ffky</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001205150</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>NEWCOMB JOHN L JR</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>FIRST FEDERAL SAVINGS BANK</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>2323 RING ROAD</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>ELIZABETHTOWN</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>KY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>42701</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>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-08-02</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>5</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>J</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value>E</value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>68.527</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>24.37</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>18789.754</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Optional Cash Investment into DRIP</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>John L. Newcomb, Jr.</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-08-06</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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