-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 Gh177iRF/+JQL9vgooH9S14qiEIqC1AAtH9UStnyzaWZ5sfMrBT9ke44jDqdn+Yv
 QCTfZiPJx0pN9xHgt1cwGg==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000878736-04-000190.txt : 20041202
<SEC-HEADER>0000878736-04-000190.hdr.sgml : 20041202
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20041202094709
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000878736-04-000190
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20041130
FILED AS OF DATE:		20041202
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20041202

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Behrens Mary Taylor
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001309855

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-10858
		FILM NUMBER:		041179003

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		914-771-8267

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		NEWFANE ADVISORS, INC.
		STREET 2:		303 PONDFIELD ROAD
		CITY:			BRONXVILLE
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10708

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
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgardoc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-11-30</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>1</noSecuritiesOwned>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001309855</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Behrens Mary Taylor</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>MANOR CARE, INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>333 NORTH SUMMIT STREET</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>TOLEDO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>OH</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>43604</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Mary Taylor Behrens</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-12-01</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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