-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 9vpiDH8MNsAfuUIrhSuFuA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001005477-03-000571.txt : 20030508
<SEC-HEADER>0001005477-03-000571.hdr.sgml : 20030508
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030508164123
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001005477-03-000571
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030506
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030508

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			GENESIS HEALTH VENTURES INC /PA
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000874265
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SERVICES-SKILLED NURSING CARE FACILITIES [8051]
		IRS NUMBER:				061132947
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			PA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0930

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		101 EAST STATE STREET
		CITY:			KENNETT SQUARE
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			19348
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6104446350

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		101 EAST STATE STREET
		CITY:			KENNETT SQUARE
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			19348

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			GOLDMAN SACHS & CO
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000769993
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			NY
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1127

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-33217
		FILM NUMBER:		03688442

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		85 BROAD ST
		STREET 2:		C/O GOLDMAN SACHS & CO
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10004
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2129021000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		85 BROAD STREET
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10004

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP INC/
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000886982
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SECURITY BROKERS, DEALERS & FLOTATION COMPANIES [6211]
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1128

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-33217
		FILM NUMBER:		03688443

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		85 BROAD ST
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10004
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2129021000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		85 BROAD ST
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10004
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar123.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0101</schemaVersion>

<documentType>4</documentType>
    <periodOfReport>2003-05-06</periodOfReport>
    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>
<issuer>        <issuerCik>0000874265</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>GENESIS HEALTH VENTURES INC /PA</issuerName>
<issuerTradingSymbol>ghvi</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
    <reportingOwnerId>
        <rptOwnerCik>0000886982</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP INC/</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>  </rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>  </rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>  </rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>  </rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>  </rptOwnerZipCode>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
<reportingOwnerRelationship>
        <isDirector>0</isDirector>
        <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
        <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
        <isOther>0</isOther>
    </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
    <reportingOwnerId>
        <rptOwnerCik>0000769993</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>GOLDMAN SACHS &amp; CO</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>  </rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>  </rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>  </rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>  </rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>  </rptOwnerZipCode>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
<reportingOwnerRelationship>
        <isDirector>0</isDirector>
        <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
        <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
        <isOther>0</isOther>
    </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeSecurity>
        <securityTitle>
            <value>Common Stock</value>
        </securityTitle>
        <transactionDate>
            <value>2003-05-06</value>
        </transactionDate>
    <transactionCoding>
        <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
        <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
        <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
    </transactionCoding>
        <transactionAmounts>
            <transactionShares>
                <value>500000</value>
            </transactionShares>
            <transactionValue>
                <value>14.84</value>
            </transactionValue>
            <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                <value>D</value>
            </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
        </transactionAmounts>
        <postTransactionAmounts>
            <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                <value>4721906</value>
            </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
        </postTransactionAmounts>
        <ownershipNature>
            <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <value>I</value>
            </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            <natureOfOwnership>
                <value>See Footnote</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </natureOfOwnership>
        </ownershipNature>
    </nonDerivativeSecurity>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The securities reported herein as sold were sold and were beneficially owned directly by Goldman, Sachs &amp; Co. (&quot;Goldman Sachs&quot;).  Without admitting any legal obligation, Goldman Sachs will remit appropriate profits, if any, to the Company.  Goldman Sachs beneficially owns directly and The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (&quot;GS Group&quot;) may be deemed to beneficially own indirectly 4,721,906 shares of common stock, par value $.02 per share of Genesis Health Ventures, Inc.  Goldman Sachs is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of GS Group.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>s/ Roger S. Begelman, Attorney-in-fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2003-05-08</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>s/ Roger S. Begelman, Attorney-in-fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2003-05-08</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>

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