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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,
 NqOR8WDiiXPReBSOY08CxsV1VAnMvzwK2SyAZqJWXR5LiN5lQudpJZsOpDYVmgt5
 3GjUM6vkPbKWqrIiEU2zNw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001040441-04-000195.txt : 20040924
<SEC-HEADER>0001040441-04-000195.hdr.sgml : 20040924
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040924102643
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001040441-04-000195
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040910
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040924
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20040924

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:			MERCADANTE BLAISE J
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001190367

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-09550-2B
		FILM NUMBER:		041043976

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE THOUSAND BEVERLY WAY
		CITY:			FORT SMITH
		STATE:			AR
		ZIP:			72919
		BUSINESS PHONE:		479-201-2000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE THOUSAND BEVERLY WAY
		CITY:			FORT SMITH
		STATE:			AR
		ZIP:			72919
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-09-10</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>1</notSubjectToSection16>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001190367</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>MERCADANTE BLAISE J</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>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>BY: MONA BRANNON FOR: BLAISE J MERCADANTE</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-09-24</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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