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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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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000878736-03-000035.txt : 20031105
<SEC-HEADER>0000878736-03-000035.hdr.sgml : 20031105
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20031105113120
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000878736-03-000035
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4/A
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20031103
FILED AS OF DATE:		20031105

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MANOR CARE INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000878736
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SERVICES-SKILLED NURSING CARE FACILITIES [8051]
		IRS NUMBER:				341687107
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		333 N. SUMMIT STREET
		CITY:			TOLEDO
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			43604-2617
		BUSINESS PHONE:		4192525500

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		P.O. BOX 10086
		CITY:			TOLEDO
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			43699-0086

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	HCR MANOR CARE INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19981001

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	HEALTH CARE & RETIREMENT CORP / DE
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19930328

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			GRAHAM JOHN K
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001196388

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4/A
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-10858
		FILM NUMBER:		03978264

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		333 NORTH SUMMIT ST 16TH FL
		CITY:			TOLEDO
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			43604
		BUSINESS PHONE:		4192525815

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		333 NORTH SUMMIT ST 16TH FL
		CITY:			TOLEDO
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			43604
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4/A
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>

<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4/A</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2003-11-03</periodOfReport>

    <dateOfOriginalSubmission>2003-10-31</dateOfOriginalSubmission>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000878736</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>MANOR CARE INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>HCR</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001196388</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>GRAHAM JOHN K</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>333 NORTH SUMMIT ST 16TH FL</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>TOLEDO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>OH</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>43604</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Vice President</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>

        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2003-11-03</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <deemedExecutionDate>
                <value>2003-11-03</value>
            </deemedExecutionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>J</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>2000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>32.6</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>460</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>

    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">On 11/3/03 reporting person cancelled the acquisition of 2,000 shares of company stock with a transaction date of 10/29/03.  The purpose of this form is to delete that transaction.  All other transactions on the previously filed Form 4 filed on 10/31/03 are correct.</footnote>
    </footnotes>


    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>John K. Graham</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2003-11-05</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>

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