<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0101</schemaVersion>

<documentType>3</documentType>
    <periodOfReport>2003-05-06</periodOfReport>
    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>
<issuer>        <issuerCik>0000834285</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>REPUBLIC FIRST BANCORP INC</issuerName>
<issuerTradingSymbol>FRBK</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
    <reportingOwnerId>
        <rptOwnerCik>0001230621</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>DECESARE LOUIS J JR</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>  </rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>  </rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>  </rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>  </rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>  </rptOwnerZipCode>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
<reportingOwnerRelationship>
        <isDirector>0</isDirector>
        <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
        <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
        <isOther>0</isOther>
        <officerTitle>Executive Vice President</officerTitle>
    </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeSecurity>
        <securityTitle>
            <value>Common Stock</value>
        </securityTitle>
        <conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <value>7.40</value>
        </conversionOrExercisePrice>
        <exerciseDate>
            <value>2003-05-06</value>
        </exerciseDate>
        <expirationDate>
            <value>2013-03-31</value>
        </expirationDate>
        <underlyingSecurity>
            <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </underlyingSecurityTitle>
            <underlyingSecurityShares>
                <value>2500</value>
            </underlyingSecurityShares>
        </underlyingSecurity>
        <ownershipNature>
            <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <value>D</value>
            </directOrIndirectOwnership>
        </ownershipNature>
    </derivativeSecurity>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Louis J DeCasre, Jr</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2003-05-06</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>

