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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 UAXhhqQT5ddLwPOzNoIPaZc+FxfbhnGMMv/nqrJd1DlpdGpMn/wVYqrzD2MiVHb7
 APOg531V6Jg+IJnhud2V+Q==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000015840-03-000022.txt : 20030718
<SEC-HEADER>0000015840-03-000022.hdr.sgml : 20030718
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030718124333
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000015840-03-000022
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030716
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030718

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MCCOLLUM MARK A
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001215888

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-12335
		FILM NUMBER:		03792664

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O TENNECO AUTOMOTIVE
		STREET 2:		500 N FIELD DR
		CITY:			LAKE FOREST
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60521

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BUTLER MANUFACTURING CO
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000015840
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	PREFABRICATED METAL BUILDINGS & COMPONENTS [3448]
		IRS NUMBER:				440188420
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1540 GENESSEE STREET
		STREET 2:		P O BOX 419917
		CITY:			KANSAS CITY
		STATE:			MO
		ZIP:			64141-6917
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8169683000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1540 GENESSEE STREET
		STREET 2:		P O BOX 419917
		CITY:			KANSAS CITY
		STATE:			MO
		ZIP:			64141-6917
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgardoc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0101</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2003-07-16</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000015840</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>BUTLER MANUFACTURING CO</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>BBR</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001215888</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>MCCOLLUM MARK A</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>2003-07-16</value>
        </transactionDate>
        <transactionCoding>
            <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
            <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
            <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
        </transactionCoding>
        <transactionAmounts>
            <transactionShares>
                <value>0.71</value>
            </transactionShares>
            <transactionValue>
                <value>17.1</value>
            </transactionValue>
            <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                <value>A</value>
            </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
        </transactionAmounts>
        <postTransactionAmounts>
            <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                <value>596.08</value>
            </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
        </postTransactionAmounts>
        <ownershipNature>
            <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <value>D</value>
            </directOrIndirectOwnership>
        </ownershipNature>
    </nonDerivativeSecurity>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>By: John W. Huey  For: Mark A. McCollum</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2003-07-18</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>

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