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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,
 MvW9fDQDmrB916U6OJm5vfeN9tODd17SRV6ERtVCt4wCG+74Y8PwBS4HfDwT/zg6
 gsl0gW9h7u+awdSWUSSo3w==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000909654-03-000779.txt : 20030724
<SEC-HEADER>0000909654-03-000779.hdr.sgml : 20030724
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030724152058
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000909654-03-000779
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030723
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030724

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MILLER CATHERINE B
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001203991

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-15781
		FILM NUMBER:		03800901

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O BERKSHIRE HILLS BANCORP INC
		STREET 2:		24 NORTH ST
		CITY:			PITTSFIELD
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			01201

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BERKSHIRE HILLS BANCORP INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001108134
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SAVINGS INSTITUTIONS, NOT FEDERALLY CHARTERED [6036]
		IRS NUMBER:				043510455

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		24 NORTH ST.
		CITY:			PITTSFIELD
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			01201
		BUSINESS PHONE:		4134435601

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		24 NORTH ST
		CITY:			PITTSFIELD
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			01201
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>mil90.xml
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0101</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>
	<periodOfReport>2003-07-23</periodOfReport>
	<notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>
    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001108134</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>BERKSHIRE HILLS BANCORP INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>(BHL)</issuerTradingSymbol>
	</issuer>
	<reportingOwner>
		<reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001203991</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>MILLER CATHERINE B</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>  </rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>  </rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>  </rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>  </rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>  </rptOwnerZipCode>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
			<isDirector>1</isDirector>
			<isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
			<isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
			<isOther>0</isOther>
		</reportingOwnerRelationship>
	</reportingOwner>
	<nonDerivativeSecurity>
		<securityTitle>
			<value>Common Stock</value>
		</securityTitle>
		<transactionDate>
			<value>2003-07-23</value>
		</transactionDate>
		<transactionCoding>
			<transactionFormType>5</transactionFormType>
			<transactionCode>G</transactionCode>
			<equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
		</transactionCoding>
		<transactionAmounts>
			<transactionShares>
				<value>115</value>
			</transactionShares>
			<transactionValue>
				<value>0</value>
			</transactionValue>
			<transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
				<value>D</value>
			</transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
		</transactionAmounts>
		<postTransactionAmounts>
			<sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
				<value>12457</value>
				<footnoteId id="F1"/>
			</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
		</postTransactionAmounts>
		<ownershipNature>
			<directOrIndirectOwnership>
				<value>D</value>
			</directOrIndirectOwnership>
			<natureOfOwnership>
				<value/>
			</natureOfOwnership>
		</ownershipNature>
	</nonDerivativeSecurity>
	<footnotes>
		<footnote id="F1">The reporting person also beneficially owns 1,438 shares held indirectly by spouse and 3,453 shares held indirectly by Stock Award which vest in five annual installments commencing on January 30, 2002.  This Form also reflects an increase in beneficial ownership resulting from exempt acquisitions under a Dividend Reinvestment Plan and the vesting of 1,151 shares previously held through Stock Award which are now directly owned.</footnote>
	</footnotes>
	<ownerSignature>
		<signatureName>By: /s/ Gerald A. Denmark, Power of Attorney</signatureName>
		<signatureDate>2003-07-23</signatureDate>
	</ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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