<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0101</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>
	<periodOfReport>2003-05-28</periodOfReport>
    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000005513</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>UNUMPROVIDENT CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>UNM</issuerTradingSymbol>
	</issuer>
	<reportingOwner>
		<reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001239416</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>MADEJA PETER C</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>
	<nonDerivativeSecurity>
		<securityTitle>
			<value>Common Stock</value>
		</securityTitle>
		<transactionAmounts>
			<transactionShares>
				<value>40627</value>
				<footnoteId id="F1"/>
			</transactionShares>
		</transactionAmounts>
		<ownershipNature>
			<directOrIndirectOwnership>
				<value>D</value>
			</directOrIndirectOwnership>
			<natureOfOwnership>
				<value/>
			</natureOfOwnership>
		</ownershipNature>
	</nonDerivativeSecurity>
	<nonDerivativeSecurity>
		<securityTitle>
			<value>Common Stock (401(k))</value>
		</securityTitle>
		<transactionAmounts>
			<transactionShares>
				<value>4361</value>
			</transactionShares>
		</transactionAmounts>
		<ownershipNature>
			<directOrIndirectOwnership>
				<value>I</value>
			</directOrIndirectOwnership>
			<natureOfOwnership>
				<value>By 401(k) Plan</value>
			</natureOfOwnership>
		</ownershipNature>
	</nonDerivativeSecurity>
	<derivativeSecurity>
		<securityTitle>
			<value>1997 (Jan 29) Stock Options</value>
		</securityTitle>
		<conversionOrExercisePrice>
			<value>31.85</value>
		</conversionOrExercisePrice>
		<exerciseDate>
			<value>1998-01-28</value>
		</exerciseDate>
		<expirationDate>
			<value>2007-01-28</value>
		</expirationDate>
		<underlyingSecurity>
			<underlyingSecurityTitle>
				<value>Common Stock</value>
			</underlyingSecurityTitle>
			<underlyingSecurityShares>
				<value>36500.00</value>
			</underlyingSecurityShares>
		</underlyingSecurity>
		<ownershipNature>
			<directOrIndirectOwnership>
				<value>D</value>
			</directOrIndirectOwnership>
			<natureOfOwnership>
				<value/>
			</natureOfOwnership>
		</ownershipNature>
	</derivativeSecurity>
	<derivativeSecurity>
		<securityTitle>
			<value>1998 (Jan 7) Stock Options</value>
		</securityTitle>
		<conversionOrExercisePrice>
			<value>51.54</value>
		</conversionOrExercisePrice>
		<exerciseDate>
			<value>2000-01-06</value>
		</exerciseDate>
		<expirationDate>
			<value>2008-01-06</value>
		</expirationDate>
		<underlyingSecurity>
			<underlyingSecurityTitle>
				<value>Common Stock</value>
			</underlyingSecurityTitle>
			<underlyingSecurityShares>
				<value>18250.00</value>
			</underlyingSecurityShares>
		</underlyingSecurity>
		<ownershipNature>
			<directOrIndirectOwnership>
				<value>D</value>
			</directOrIndirectOwnership>
			<natureOfOwnership>
				<value/>
			</natureOfOwnership>
		</ownershipNature>
	</derivativeSecurity>
	<derivativeSecurity>
		<securityTitle>
			<value>1999 (Feb 12) Stock Options</value>
		</securityTitle>
		<conversionOrExercisePrice>
			<value>44.61</value>
		</conversionOrExercisePrice>
		<exerciseDate>
			<value>2001-02-11</value>
		</exerciseDate>
		<expirationDate>
			<value>2009-02-12</value>
		</expirationDate>
		<underlyingSecurity>
			<underlyingSecurityTitle>
				<value>Common Stock</value>
			</underlyingSecurityTitle>
			<underlyingSecurityShares>
				<value>36500.00</value>
			</underlyingSecurityShares>
		</underlyingSecurity>
		<ownershipNature>
			<directOrIndirectOwnership>
				<value>D</value>
			</directOrIndirectOwnership>
			<natureOfOwnership>
				<value/>
			</natureOfOwnership>
		</ownershipNature>
	</derivativeSecurity>
	<derivativeSecurity>
		<securityTitle>
			<value>1999 (Sep 30) Stock Options (1/3 year 1)</value>
		</securityTitle>
		<conversionOrExercisePrice>
			<value>29.50</value>
		</conversionOrExercisePrice>
		<exerciseDate>
			<value>2000-09-30</value>
		</exerciseDate>
		<expirationDate>
			<value>2009-09-30</value>
		</expirationDate>
		<underlyingSecurity>
			<underlyingSecurityTitle>
				<value>Common Stock</value>
			</underlyingSecurityTitle>
			<underlyingSecurityShares>
				<value>3334.00</value>
			</underlyingSecurityShares>
		</underlyingSecurity>
		<ownershipNature>
			<directOrIndirectOwnership>
				<value>D</value>
			</directOrIndirectOwnership>
			<natureOfOwnership>
				<value/>
			</natureOfOwnership>
		</ownershipNature>
	</derivativeSecurity>
	<derivativeSecurity>
		<securityTitle>
			<value>1999 (Sep 30) Stock Options (1/3 year 2)</value>
		</securityTitle>
		<conversionOrExercisePrice>
			<value>29.50</value>
		</conversionOrExercisePrice>
		<exerciseDate>
			<value>2001-09-30</value>
		</exerciseDate>
		<expirationDate>
			<value>2009-09-30</value>
		</expirationDate>
		<underlyingSecurity>
			<underlyingSecurityTitle>
				<value>Common Stock</value>
			</underlyingSecurityTitle>
			<underlyingSecurityShares>
				<value>3333.00</value>
			</underlyingSecurityShares>
		</underlyingSecurity>
		<ownershipNature>
			<directOrIndirectOwnership>
				<value>D</value>
			</directOrIndirectOwnership>
			<natureOfOwnership>
				<value/>
			</natureOfOwnership>
		</ownershipNature>
	</derivativeSecurity>
	<derivativeSecurity>
		<securityTitle>
			<value>1999 (Sep 30) Stock Options (1/3 year 3)</value>
		</securityTitle>
		<conversionOrExercisePrice>
			<value>29.50</value>
		</conversionOrExercisePrice>
		<exerciseDate>
			<value>2002-09-30</value>
		</exerciseDate>
		<expirationDate>
			<value>2009-09-30</value>
		</expirationDate>
		<underlyingSecurity>
			<underlyingSecurityTitle>
				<value>Common Stock</value>
			</underlyingSecurityTitle>
			<underlyingSecurityShares>
				<value>3333.00</value>
			</underlyingSecurityShares>
		</underlyingSecurity>
		<ownershipNature>
			<directOrIndirectOwnership>
				<value>D</value>
			</directOrIndirectOwnership>
			<natureOfOwnership>
				<value/>
			</natureOfOwnership>
		</ownershipNature>
	</derivativeSecurity>
	<derivativeSecurity>
		<securityTitle>
			<value>2000 Stock Options (1/3 year 1)</value>
		</securityTitle>
		<conversionOrExercisePrice>
			<value>13.72</value>
		</conversionOrExercisePrice>
		<exerciseDate>
			<value>2001-02-25</value>
		</exerciseDate>
		<expirationDate>
			<value>2010-02-25</value>
		</expirationDate>
		<underlyingSecurity>
			<underlyingSecurityTitle>
				<value>Common Stock</value>
			</underlyingSecurityTitle>
			<underlyingSecurityShares>
				<value>8250.00</value>
			</underlyingSecurityShares>
		</underlyingSecurity>
		<ownershipNature>
			<directOrIndirectOwnership>
				<value>D</value>
			</directOrIndirectOwnership>
			<natureOfOwnership>
				<value/>
			</natureOfOwnership>
		</ownershipNature>
	</derivativeSecurity>
	<derivativeSecurity>
		<securityTitle>
			<value>2000 Stock Options (1/3 year 2)</value>
		</securityTitle>
		<conversionOrExercisePrice>
			<value>13.72</value>
		</conversionOrExercisePrice>
		<exerciseDate>
			<value>2002-02-25</value>
		</exerciseDate>
		<expirationDate>
			<value>2010-02-25</value>
		</expirationDate>
		<underlyingSecurity>
			<underlyingSecurityTitle>
				<value>Common Stock</value>
			</underlyingSecurityTitle>
			<underlyingSecurityShares>
				<value>8250.00</value>
			</underlyingSecurityShares>
		</underlyingSecurity>
		<ownershipNature>
			<directOrIndirectOwnership>
				<value>D</value>
			</directOrIndirectOwnership>
			<natureOfOwnership>
				<value/>
			</natureOfOwnership>
		</ownershipNature>
	</derivativeSecurity>
	<derivativeSecurity>
		<securityTitle>
			<value>2000 Stock Options (1/3 year 3)</value>
		</securityTitle>
		<conversionOrExercisePrice>
			<value>13.72</value>
		</conversionOrExercisePrice>
		<exerciseDate>
			<value>2003-02-25</value>
		</exerciseDate>
		<expirationDate>
			<value>2010-02-25</value>
		</expirationDate>
		<underlyingSecurity>
			<underlyingSecurityTitle>
				<value>Common Stock</value>
			</underlyingSecurityTitle>
			<underlyingSecurityShares>
				<value>8500.00</value>
			</underlyingSecurityShares>
		</underlyingSecurity>
		<ownershipNature>
			<directOrIndirectOwnership>
				<value>D</value>
			</directOrIndirectOwnership>
			<natureOfOwnership>
				<value/>
			</natureOfOwnership>
		</ownershipNature>
	</derivativeSecurity>
	<derivativeSecurity>
		<securityTitle>
			<value>2001 Stock Options (1/3 year 1)</value>
		</securityTitle>
		<conversionOrExercisePrice>
			<value>27.98</value>
		</conversionOrExercisePrice>
		<exerciseDate>
			<value>2002-02-08</value>
		</exerciseDate>
		<expirationDate>
			<value>2011-02-08</value>
		</expirationDate>
		<underlyingSecurity>
			<underlyingSecurityTitle>
				<value>Common Stock</value>
			</underlyingSecurityTitle>
			<underlyingSecurityShares>
				<value>8333.00</value>
			</underlyingSecurityShares>
		</underlyingSecurity>
		<ownershipNature>
			<directOrIndirectOwnership>
				<value>D</value>
			</directOrIndirectOwnership>
			<natureOfOwnership>
				<value/>
			</natureOfOwnership>
		</ownershipNature>
	</derivativeSecurity>
	<derivativeSecurity>
		<securityTitle>
			<value>2001 Stock Options (1/3 year 2)</value>
		</securityTitle>
		<conversionOrExercisePrice>
			<value>27.98</value>
		</conversionOrExercisePrice>
		<exerciseDate>
			<value>2003-02-08</value>
		</exerciseDate>
		<expirationDate>
			<value>2011-02-08</value>
		</expirationDate>
		<underlyingSecurity>
			<underlyingSecurityTitle>
				<value>Common Stock</value>
			</underlyingSecurityTitle>
			<underlyingSecurityShares>
				<value>8333.00</value>
			</underlyingSecurityShares>
		</underlyingSecurity>
		<ownershipNature>
			<directOrIndirectOwnership>
				<value>D</value>
			</directOrIndirectOwnership>
			<natureOfOwnership>
				<value/>
			</natureOfOwnership>
		</ownershipNature>
	</derivativeSecurity>
	<derivativeSecurity>
		<securityTitle>
			<value>2001 Stock Options (1/3 year 3)</value>
		</securityTitle>
		<conversionOrExercisePrice>
			<value>27.98</value>
		</conversionOrExercisePrice>
		<exerciseDate>
			<value>2004-02-08</value>
		</exerciseDate>
		<expirationDate>
			<value>2011-02-08</value>
		</expirationDate>
		<underlyingSecurity>
			<underlyingSecurityTitle>
				<value>Common Stock</value>
			</underlyingSecurityTitle>
			<underlyingSecurityShares>
				<value>8334.00</value>
			</underlyingSecurityShares>
		</underlyingSecurity>
		<ownershipNature>
			<directOrIndirectOwnership>
				<value>D</value>
			</directOrIndirectOwnership>
			<natureOfOwnership>
				<value/>
			</natureOfOwnership>
		</ownershipNature>
	</derivativeSecurity>
	<derivativeSecurity>
		<securityTitle>
			<value>2002 Stock Options (1/3 year 1)</value>
		</securityTitle>
		<conversionOrExercisePrice>
			<value>28.90</value>
		</conversionOrExercisePrice>
		<exerciseDate>
			<value>2003-02-15</value>
		</exerciseDate>
		<expirationDate>
			<value>2010-02-15</value>
		</expirationDate>
		<underlyingSecurity>
			<underlyingSecurityTitle>
				<value>Common Stock</value>
			</underlyingSecurityTitle>
			<underlyingSecurityShares>
				<value>9000.00</value>
			</underlyingSecurityShares>
		</underlyingSecurity>
		<ownershipNature>
			<directOrIndirectOwnership>
				<value>D</value>
			</directOrIndirectOwnership>
			<natureOfOwnership>
				<value/>
			</natureOfOwnership>
		</ownershipNature>
	</derivativeSecurity>
	<derivativeSecurity>
		<securityTitle>
			<value>2002 Stock Options (1/3 year 2)</value>
		</securityTitle>
		<conversionOrExercisePrice>
			<value>28.90</value>
		</conversionOrExercisePrice>
		<exerciseDate>
			<value>2004-02-15</value>
		</exerciseDate>
		<expirationDate>
			<value>2010-02-15</value>
		</expirationDate>
		<underlyingSecurity>
			<underlyingSecurityTitle>
				<value>Common Stock</value>
			</underlyingSecurityTitle>
			<underlyingSecurityShares>
				<value>9000.00</value>
			</underlyingSecurityShares>
		</underlyingSecurity>
		<ownershipNature>
			<directOrIndirectOwnership>
				<value>D</value>
			</directOrIndirectOwnership>
			<natureOfOwnership>
				<value/>
			</natureOfOwnership>
		</ownershipNature>
	</derivativeSecurity>
	<derivativeSecurity>
		<securityTitle>
			<value>2002 Stock Options (1/3 year 3)</value>
		</securityTitle>
		<conversionOrExercisePrice>
			<value>28.90</value>
		</conversionOrExercisePrice>
		<exerciseDate>
			<value>2005-02-15</value>
		</exerciseDate>
		<expirationDate>
			<value>2010-02-15</value>
		</expirationDate>
		<underlyingSecurity>
			<underlyingSecurityTitle>
				<value>Common Stock</value>
			</underlyingSecurityTitle>
			<underlyingSecurityShares>
				<value>9000.00</value>
			</underlyingSecurityShares>
		</underlyingSecurity>
		<ownershipNature>
			<directOrIndirectOwnership>
				<value>D</value>
			</directOrIndirectOwnership>
			<natureOfOwnership>
				<value/>
			</natureOfOwnership>
		</ownershipNature>
	</derivativeSecurity>
	<derivativeSecurity>
		<securityTitle>
			<value>Phantom Stock/Dividends (Premium Shares)</value>
		</securityTitle>
		<conversionOrExercisePrice>
			<value>1.00</value>
			<footnoteId id="F4"/>
		</conversionOrExercisePrice>
		<exerciseDate>
			<value>1988-08-08</value>
			<footnoteId id="F2"/>
		</exerciseDate>
		<expirationDate>
			<value>1988-08-08</value>
			<footnoteId id="F3"/>
		</expirationDate>
		<underlyingSecurity>
			<underlyingSecurityTitle>
				<value>Common Stock</value>
			</underlyingSecurityTitle>
			<underlyingSecurityShares>
				<value>42.00</value>
			</underlyingSecurityShares>
		</underlyingSecurity>
		<ownershipNature>
			<directOrIndirectOwnership>
				<value>D</value>
			</directOrIndirectOwnership>
			<natureOfOwnership>
				<value/>
			</natureOfOwnership>
		</ownershipNature>
	</derivativeSecurity>
	<derivativeSecurity>
		<securityTitle>
			<value>Phantom Stock/Dividends (Purchased Shares)</value>
		</securityTitle>
		<conversionOrExercisePrice>
			<value>1.00</value>
			<footnoteId id="F4"/>
		</conversionOrExercisePrice>
		<exerciseDate>
			<value>1988-08-08</value>
			<footnoteId id="F2"/>
		</exerciseDate>
		<expirationDate>
			<value>1988-08-08</value>
			<footnoteId id="F3"/>
		</expirationDate>
		<underlyingSecurity>
			<underlyingSecurityTitle>
				<value>Common Stock</value>
			</underlyingSecurityTitle>
			<underlyingSecurityShares>
				<value>122.00</value>
			</underlyingSecurityShares>
		</underlyingSecurity>
		<ownershipNature>
			<directOrIndirectOwnership>
				<value>D</value>
			</directOrIndirectOwnership>
			<natureOfOwnership>
				<value/>
			</natureOfOwnership>
		</ownershipNature>
	</derivativeSecurity>
	<derivativeSecurity>
		<securityTitle>
			<value>Phantom Stock/Grant (Premium Shares)</value>
		</securityTitle>
		<conversionOrExercisePrice>
			<value>1.00</value>
			<footnoteId id="F4"/>
		</conversionOrExercisePrice>
		<exerciseDate>
			<value>1988-08-08</value>
			<footnoteId id="F5"/>
		</exerciseDate>
		<expirationDate>
			<value>1988-08-08</value>
			<footnoteId id="F5"/>
		</expirationDate>
		<underlyingSecurity>
			<underlyingSecurityTitle>
				<value>Common Stock</value>
			</underlyingSecurityTitle>
			<underlyingSecurityShares>
				<value>622.00</value>
			</underlyingSecurityShares>
		</underlyingSecurity>
		<ownershipNature>
			<directOrIndirectOwnership>
				<value>D</value>
			</directOrIndirectOwnership>
			<natureOfOwnership>
				<value/>
			</natureOfOwnership>
		</ownershipNature>
	</derivativeSecurity>
	<derivativeSecurity>
		<securityTitle>
			<value>Phantom Stock/Grant (Purchased Shares)</value>
		</securityTitle>
		<conversionOrExercisePrice>
			<value>1.00</value>
			<footnoteId id="F4"/>
		</conversionOrExercisePrice>
		<exerciseDate>
			<value>1988-08-08</value>
			<footnoteId id="F6"/>
		</exerciseDate>
		<expirationDate>
			<value>1988-08-08</value>
			<footnoteId id="F6"/>
		</expirationDate>
		<underlyingSecurity>
			<underlyingSecurityTitle>
				<value>Common Stock</value>
			</underlyingSecurityTitle>
			<underlyingSecurityShares>
				<value>2100.00</value>
			</underlyingSecurityShares>
		</underlyingSecurity>
		<ownershipNature>
			<directOrIndirectOwnership>
				<value>D</value>
			</directOrIndirectOwnership>
			<natureOfOwnership>
				<value/>
			</natureOfOwnership>
		</ownershipNature>
	</derivativeSecurity>
	<footnotes>
		<footnote id="F1">This amount includes  the following non-derivative securities: Employee Stock Purchase Plan - 3,584 shares; restricted stock -  22,012 shares, including 19,012 issued on 4/15/2003 (vests 4/15/2006) and 3,000 shares issued on 2/28/01 (1,000 vested 2/28/2002, 1,000 vested 2/28/2003 and 1,000 vests 2/28/2004); and shares held outside of any plan - 15,031 shares.</footnote>
		<footnote id="F2">Exercisable with the original grant to which the dividend relates.</footnote>
		<footnote id="F3">Not applicable.</footnote>
		<footnote id="F4">Conversion is one for one.</footnote>
		<footnote id="F5">These phantom stock units are subject to forfeiture during a three-year period following the award, unless the participant terminates employment as a result of death, disability or retirement for any other reason other than for cause or voluntary resignation or for any reason following a change in control. Termination of employment for cause or voluntary resignation prior to a change in control will result in forfeiture, unless the Committee determines otherwise.  If not forfeited, these units will be paid (settled) in the same manner as the Purchased Shares. Participant may elect to extend the deferral period for payment of the shares beyond the original deferral period, but not beyond termination of employment. Any such election must be made at least six (6) months prior to the previously selected payment date.  Generally, the units are payable in Company common stock; however, the Company's Compensation Committee has the authority to direct that the value of such shares be paid in part or entirely in cash.</footnote>
		<footnote id="F6">These phantom stock units vested immediately on the grant date and will be paid (settled) beginning on the earlier of (a) a date specified by the participant that is at least 3 years after the grant date or (b) as soon as practicable after the date on which the participant ceases to be an employee of the Company for any reason.  Participants may elect to extend the deferral period for payment of the shares beyond the original deferral period, but not beyond termination of employment.  Any such election must be made at least six (6) months prior to the previously selected payment date.  Generally, the units are payable in Company common stock; however, the Company's Compensation Committee has the authority to direct that the value of such shares be paid in part or entirely in cash.</footnote>
	</footnotes>
	<ownerSignature>
		<signatureName>By: Jo C. Dearing on behalf of</signatureName>
		<signatureDate>2003-06-09</signatureDate>
	</ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

