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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 VG5bRiAlPyjU4QFQN+SgRtOpixuiLTS7h7Sj8UAaq+kPYIGpQm8TcrcriJEIYvh8
 0yE5lhhB8dECuvaEHqw4qQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001179110-03-013502.txt : 20031230
<SEC-HEADER>0001179110-03-013502.hdr.sgml : 20031230
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20031230100906
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001179110-03-013502
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030922
FILED AS OF DATE:		20031230

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			DEA PETER A
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001132295
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-10389
		FILM NUMBER:		031076644

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1515 ARAPAHOE STREET
		STREET 2:		TOWER 3 SUITE 1000
		CITY:			DENVER
		STATE:			CO
		ZIP:			80202
		BUSINESS PHONE:		303-606-4072

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			WESTERN GAS RESOURCES INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000856716
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	NATURAL GAS DISTRIBUTION [4924]
		IRS NUMBER:				841127613
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1099 18TH STREET, SUITE 1200
		CITY:			DENVER
		STATE:			CO
		ZIP:			80202-1955
		BUSINESS PHONE:		303 452 5603

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1099 18TH STREET, SUITE 1200
		CITY:			DENVER
		STATE:			CO
		ZIP:			80202-1955
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4 -
<TEXT>
<XML>
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>
<periodOfReport>2003-09-22</periodOfReport>
<notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>
    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000856716</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>WESTERN GAS RESOURCES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>WGR</issuerTradingSymbol>
</issuer>
<reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001132295</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>DEA PETER A</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/- WESTERN GAS RESOURCES, INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>1099 18TH STREET, SUITE 1200</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>DENVER</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CO</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>80202</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
<isDirector>1</isDirector>
<isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
<isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
<isOther>0</isOther>
<officerTitle>CEO &amp; President</officerTitle>
<otherText></otherText>
</reportingOwnerRelationship>
</reportingOwner>
<nonDerivativeTable></nonDerivativeTable>
<derivativeTable><derivativeTransaction><securityTitle><value>Stock Options (Right to Buy)</value>
</securityTitle>
<conversionOrExercisePrice><value>38.03</value>
</conversionOrExercisePrice>
<transactionDate><value>2003-09-22</value>
</transactionDate>
<transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
<transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
<equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
</transactionCoding>
<transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>45000</value>
</transactionShares>
<transactionPricePerShare><value>0</value>
</transactionPricePerShare>
<transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>A</value>
</transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
</transactionAmounts>
<exerciseDate><value>2004-09-22</value>
<footnoteId id="F1"></footnoteId>
</exerciseDate>
<expirationDate><value>2009-09-22</value>
<footnoteId id="F2"></footnoteId>
</expirationDate>
<underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common Stock</value>
</underlyingSecurityTitle>
<underlyingSecurityShares><value>45000</value>
</underlyingSecurityShares>
</underlyingSecurity>
<postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>45000</value>
</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
</postTransactionAmounts>
<ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value>
</directOrIndirectOwnership>
</ownershipNature>
</derivativeTransaction>
</derivativeTable>
<footnotes><footnote id="F1">Options are exercisable in 1/3 annual increments, commencing on the first anniversary of the grant date.</footnote>
<footnote id="F2">Options terminate on the earlier of (i) 5 years from the vesting date, or (ii) ten years after the grant date.</footnote>
</footnotes>
<ownerSignature><signatureName>/s/ John C. Walter, as Attorney In Fact for Peter A. Dea</signatureName>
<signatureDate>2003-12-29</signatureDate>
</ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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