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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 MqHzlNhao8xsDrkawJcelR1KNdqdDITJiykE0XxorWu3t1Rd3ihSZkRe7fQxhDF5
 Ql5Y1PwUs8+Uc5nHfY0rUQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000877860-03-000090.txt : 20031223
<SEC-HEADER>0000877860-03-000090.hdr.sgml : 20031223
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20031223161845
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000877860-03-000090
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20031223
FILED AS OF DATE:		20031223

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			NATIONAL HEALTH INVESTORS INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000877860
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS [6798]
		IRS NUMBER:				621470956
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			MD
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		100 VINE ST STE 1400
		STREET 2:		CITY CENTER
		CITY:			MURFREESBORO
		STATE:			TN
		ZIP:			37130
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6158909100

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		P.O. BOX 1102
		CITY:			MURFREESBORO
		STATE:			TN
		ZIP:			37133

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			SWAFFORD CHARLOTTE A
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001012861
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SERVICES-SKILLED NURSING CARE FACILITIES [8051]
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-10822
		FILM NUMBER:		031071325

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		P.O. BOX 1398
		CITY:			MURFREESBORO
		STATE:			TN
		ZIP:			37133-1398
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6158902020

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		P.O. BOX 1398
		CITY:			MURFREESBORO
		STATE:			TN
		ZIP:			37133-1398
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType><periodOfReport>2003-12-23</periodOfReport>
    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000877860</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>NATIONAL HEALTH INVESTORS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>NHI</issuerTradingSymbol></issuer><reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001012861</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>SWAFFORD CHARLOTTE A</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>915 E. MAIN STREET</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>MURFREESBORO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>TN</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>37130</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
<isDirector>0</isDirector><isOfficer>1</isOfficer><isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner><isOther>0</isOther><officerTitle>Treasurer</officerTitle></reportingOwnerRelationship></reportingOwner><nonDerivativeTable><nonDerivativeTransaction><securityTitle><value>Shares of Common Stock</value></securityTitle><transactionDate><value>2003-12-23</value></transactionDate><transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType><transactionCode>S</transactionCode><equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved></transactionCoding><transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>67617</value></transactionShares><transactionPricePerShare><value>24.75</value></transactionPricePerShare><transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>D</value></transactionAcquiredDisposedCode></transactionAmounts><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>0</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>I</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership
><value>Partnership</value></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></nonDerivativeTransaction><nonDerivativeTransaction><securityTitle><value>Common Stock</value></securityTitle><transactionDate><value>2003-06-30</value></transactionDate><transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType><transactionCode>G</transactionCode><equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved></transactionCoding><transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>94750</value></transactionShares><transactionPricePerShare><value>18.47</value></transactionPricePerShare><transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>D</value></transactionAcquiredDisposedCode></transactionAmounts><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>336166</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>I</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value>Partnership</value></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></nonDerivativeTransaction><nonDerivativeHolding><securityTitl
e><value>Common stock in my name and my spouse's name</value></securityTitle><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>104785</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>I</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value>Partnership</value></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></nonDerivativeHolding></nonDerivativeTable><footnotes/><remarks/><ownerSignature><signatureName>/s/ Charlotte A. Swafford</signatureName><signatureDate>2003-12-23</signatureDate></ownerSignature></ownershipDocument>

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</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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