-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 Hy8w6vmpxsyjDQay7vxEcm8TpDofmHLJ1+ZmuYE8bg2Q/j5qBxsqL1l46UoSo30t
 Tp8mFikJF2bSHSEWYFX+9w==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001181431-04-023967.txt : 20040504
<SEC-HEADER>0001181431-04-023967.hdr.sgml : 20040504
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040504121438
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001181431-04-023967
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040503
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040504

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BUTTS JAMES
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001241112

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-23189
		FILM NUMBER:		04776309

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		8100 MITCHELL ROAD
		STREET 2:		SUITE 200
		CITY:			EDEN PRAIRIE
		STATE:			MN
		ZIP:			55344
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9529378500

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			C H ROBINSON WORLDWIDE INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001043277
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	ARRANGEMENT OF TRANSPORTATION OF FREIGHT & CARGO [4731]
		IRS NUMBER:				411883630
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		8100 MITCHELL ROAD
		STREET 2:		#200
		CITY:			EDEN PRAIRIE
		STATE:			MN
		ZIP:			55344
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6129378500

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		8100 MITCHEL ROAD
		STREET 2:		#200
		CITY:			EDEN PRAIRIE
		STATE:			MN
		ZIP:			55344
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>rrd41397.xml
<DESCRIPTION>BUTTS FORM 4 SALE 05-03-2004
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-05-03</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001043277</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>C H ROBINSON WORLDWIDE INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>CHRW</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001241112</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>BUTTS JAMES</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>8100 MITCHELL ROAD</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>EDEN PRAIRIE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MN</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>55344</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Vice President</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>15000</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>By Rabbi Trust</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-05-03</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>2500</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>40.9304</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>387092</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The shares granted are available to vest over five years, based on the financial performance of the Company.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Sold pursuant to a 10b-5(1) Plan</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Includes shares held in the employee stock purchase plan as of a statement dated 3/31/2004.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ James E. Butts</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-05-03</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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