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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 CA3bauNHuci3qDTSYYjSNfskCe8o/6IsVtkqYvMC7H+joXvtBGAN1LUNuZJ9eReL
 qOJPFv8cRKPclnUUI/Fy8A==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001181431-03-036518.txt : 20031218
<SEC-HEADER>0001181431-03-036518.hdr.sgml : 20031218
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20031218120335
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001181431-03-036518
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20031216
FILED AS OF DATE:		20031218

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BLACK CHESTER B
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001216805

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-19946
		FILM NUMBER:		031061618

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		19387 US 19 N
		CITY:			CLEARWATER
		STATE:			FL
		ZIP:			33764

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			LINCARE HOLDINGS INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000882235
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SERVICES-MISC HEALTH & ALLIED SERVICES, NEC [8090]
		IRS NUMBER:				510331330
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		19387 US 19 N STE 500
		CITY:			CLEARWATER
		STATE:			FL
		ZIP:			33764
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8135307700

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		19387 US 19 NORTH STE 500
		CITY:			CLEARWATER
		STATE:			FL
		ZIP:			33764
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>rrd26188.xml
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?><ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType><periodOfReport>2003-12-16</periodOfReport><notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>
    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000882235</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>LINCARE HOLDINGS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>LNCR</issuerTradingSymbol></issuer><reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001216805</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>BLACK CHESTER B</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>10 LINN LANE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>WAYLAND</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState></rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>01778</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
<isDirector>1</isDirector><isOfficer>0</isOfficer><isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner><isOther>0</isOther></reportingOwnerRelationship></reportingOwner><nonDerivativeTable><nonDerivativeTransaction><securityTitle><value>Common Stock</value></securityTitle><transactionDate><value>2003-12-16</value></transactionDate><transactionCoding><transactionFormType>5</transactionFormType><transactionCode>G</transactionCode><equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved></transactionCoding><transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>5000</value></transactionShares><transactionPricePerShare><value>0</value></transactionPricePerShare><transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>D</value></transactionAcquiredDisposedCode></transactionAmounts><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>13315</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership></ownershipNature></nonDerivativeTransaction></nonDerivativeTable><
ownerSignature><signatureName>C.B. Black by P.G. Gabos as attorney in fact</signatureName><signatureDate>2003-12-17</signatureDate></ownerSignature></ownershipDocument>



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