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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 NmiNLfB3luEv3Xwx39Rj7ypNN4XDWZ14ifuiY6xTp1uJG8yJT9s8kRLJ7G9I9OOV
 B28ioRa9lMAevjnBqGCySw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001179110-04-001581.txt : 20040122
<SEC-HEADER>0001179110-04-001581.hdr.sgml : 20040122
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040122161508
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001179110-04-001581
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040120
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040122

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			DAVIDOW ROBERT A
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001242106

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-09904
		FILM NUMBER:		04537467

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		202 S. CENTRAL AVE.
		CITY:			COMPTON
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			90220

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ARDEN GROUP INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000225051
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	RETAIL-GROCERY STORES [5411]
		IRS NUMBER:				953163136
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0102

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2020 S CENTRAL AVE
		CITY:			COMPTON
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			90220
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3106382842

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		PO BOX 2256
		CITY:			LOS ANGELES
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			90051

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	TELAUTOGRAPH INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19600201
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4 -
<TEXT>
<XML>
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>
<periodOfReport>2004-01-20</periodOfReport>
<notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>
    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000225051</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>ARDEN GROUP INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>ARDNA</issuerTradingSymbol>
</issuer>
<reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001242106</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>DAVIDOW ROBERT A</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>2020 SOUTH CENTRAL AVENUE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>COMPTON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>90720</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
<isDirector>1</isDirector>
<isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
<isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
<isOther>0</isOther>
<officerTitle></officerTitle>
<otherText></otherText>
</reportingOwnerRelationship>
</reportingOwner>
<nonDerivativeTable></nonDerivativeTable>
<derivativeTable><derivativeTransaction><securityTitle><value>Stock Appreciation Rights</value>
</securityTitle>
<conversionOrExercisePrice><value>77.50</value>
</conversionOrExercisePrice>
<transactionDate><value>2004-01-20</value>
</transactionDate>
<transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
<transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
<equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
</transactionCoding>
<transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>10000</value>
</transactionShares>
<transactionPricePerShare><value>0</value>
</transactionPricePerShare>
<transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>A</value>
</transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
</transactionAmounts>
<exerciseDate><value>2005-01-20</value>
<footnoteId id="F1"></footnoteId>
</exerciseDate>
<expirationDate><value>2009-01-20</value>
</expirationDate>
<underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Class A Common Stock</value>
</underlyingSecurityTitle>
<underlyingSecurityShares><value>10000</value>
</underlyingSecurityShares>
</underlyingSecurity>
<postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>10000</value>
</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
</postTransactionAmounts>
<ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value>
</directOrIndirectOwnership>
</ownershipNature>
</derivativeTransaction>
</derivativeTable>
<footnotes><footnote id="F1">The Stock Appreciation Rights become exercisable in annual increments of 25% each year commencing January 20, 2005.</footnote>
</footnotes>
<ownerSignature><signatureName>/s/ Robert A. Davidow</signatureName>
<signatureDate>2004-01-21</signatureDate>
</ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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