-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 HSFDLW2tggvT5PetDzAkylyJyH4P5tZScMcGhrCrXjZyYd8GVpeto6wL9yVXQnXH
 3wDM/S4i2SNp7NoD7vPWAQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001181981-03-000001.txt : 20031201
<SEC-HEADER>0001181981-03-000001.hdr.sgml : 20031201
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20031201091427
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001181981-03-000001
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20031201
FILED AS OF DATE:		20031201

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			COVENTRY HEALTH CARE INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001054833
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	HOSPITAL & MEDICAL SERVICE PLANS [6324]
		IRS NUMBER:				522073000
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		6705 ROCKLEDGE DRIVE
		STREET 2:		SUITE 900
		CITY:			BETHESDA
		STATE:			MD
		ZIP:			20817
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3015810600

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		6705 ROCKLEDGE DRIVE
		STREET 2:		SUITE 900
		CITY:			BETHESDA
		STATE:			MD
		ZIP:			20817

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			NOLAN TIMOTHY E
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001181981

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-16477
		FILM NUMBER:		031028941

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		17 GREENBRIAR CIRCLE
		CITY:			NEW TOWN
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			18940
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2153214280

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		17 GREENBRIAR CIRCLE
		CITY:			NEW TOWN
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			18940
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>

<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2003-12-01</periodOfReport>


    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001054833</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>COVENTRY HEALTH CARE INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>CVH</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001181981</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>NOLAN TIMOTHY E</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>2751 CENTERVILLE RD. #400</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>WILMINGTON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>DE</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>19808</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Senior Vice President</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>

        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>No Securities Owned</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>0</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>

    </nonDerivativeTable>



    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Tomothy E. Nolan</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2003-12-01</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>

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