-----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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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001040441-04-000191.txt : 20040903
<SEC-HEADER>0001040441-04-000191.hdr.sgml : 20040903
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040903165904
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001040441-04-000191
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040901
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040903
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20040903

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BEVERLY ENTERPRISES INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001040441
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SERVICES-SKILLED NURSING CARE FACILITIES [8051]
		IRS NUMBER:				621691861
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE THOUSAND BEVERLY WAY
		CITY:			FORT SMITH
		STATE:			AR
		ZIP:			72919
		BUSINESS PHONE:		5014526712

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE THOUSAND BEVERLY WAY
		CITY:			FORT SMITH
		STATE:			AR
		ZIP:			72919

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	NEW BEVERLY HOLDINGS INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19970604

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MCLANE JAMES W
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001190351

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-09550-2B
		FILM NUMBER:		041017351

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		TOWERS AT WILLIAMS SQUARE
		STREET 2:		5215 NORTH O'CONNOR BLVD., STE 800
		CITY:			IRVING
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			75039
		BUSINESS PHONE:		972-443-5210

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		TOWERS AT WILLIAMS SQUARE
		STREET 2:		5215 NORTH OCONNOR BLVD STE 800
		CITY:			IRVINE
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			75039
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgardoc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-09-01</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001040441</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>BEVERLY ENTERPRISES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>BEV</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001190351</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>MCLANE JAMES W</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>ONE THOUSAND BEVERLY WAY</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>FORT SMITH</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>AR</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>72919</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>PHANTOM STOCK UNITS</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-09-01</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>621.5704</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2004-09-01</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>$.10 Par Value Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>621.5704</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>20120.7623</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">These units of phantom stock have been granted under the Non-Employee Director Deferred Compensation Plan and are credited to a deferred share unit account each month, to be paid to the director, or, in the case of his/her death prior to retirement from the Board, his/her beneficiary(ies), in stock (or, with the Board's approval, in cash) upon his/her retirement from the Board, death or disability.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Each Deferred Share Unit has a value equal to one share of common stock of Beverly.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>By: MONA BRANNON  For: JAMES W MCLANE</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-09-03</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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