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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 JOdvml6i3qmzxS2+uJKJNw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000355429-03-000139.txt : 20030710
<SEC-HEADER>0000355429-03-000139.hdr.sgml : 20030710
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030710132201
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000355429-03-000139
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030709
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030710

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			JAMES DONALD M
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001188417

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-12332
		FILM NUMBER:		03781571

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O VULCAN MATERIALS COMPANY
		STREET 2:		1200 URBAN CENTER DRIVE
		CITY:			BIRMINGHAM
		STATE:			AL
		ZIP:			35242

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			PROTECTIVE LIFE CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000355429
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	LIFE INSURANCE [6311]
		IRS NUMBER:				952492236
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2801 HGWY 280 S
		CITY:			BIRMINGHAM
		STATE:			AL
		ZIP:			35223
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2058799230

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		PO BOX 2606
		CITY:			BIRMINGHAM
		STATE:			AL
		ZIP:			35202
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>jamesform4_ex.xml
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<!-- - EDGAR Ease Plus 1.0                                   04/22/03  TZ    -->
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0101</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>
   <periodOfReport>2003-07-09</periodOfReport>
   <notSubjectToSection16>1</notSubjectToSection16>
    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000355429</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>PROTECTIVE LIFE CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>PL</issuerTradingSymbol>
   </issuer>
   <reportingOwner>
      <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001188417</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>JAMES DONALD M</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>2003-07-09</value>
      </transactionDate>
      <transactionCoding>
         <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
         <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
         <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
      </transactionCoding>
      <transactionAmounts>
         <transactionShares>
           <value>87.8252</value>
         </transactionShares>
         <transactionValue>
           <value>27.3270</value>
         </transactionValue>
         <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
           <value>A</value>
         </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
      </transactionAmounts>
     <postTransactionAmounts>
         <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
           <value>10482.2115</value>
         </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
         <directOrIndirectOwnership>
            <value>I</value>
         </directOrIndirectOwnership>
         <natureOfOwnership>
            <value>Def. Comp.</value>
            <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            <footnoteId id="F2"/>
         </natureOfOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
   </nonDerivativeSecurity>
   <nonDerivativeSecurity>
      <securityTitle>
         <value>Common Stock</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <transactionDate>
         <value>1988-08-08</value>
      </transactionDate>
      <transactionCoding>
         <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
         <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
         <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
      </transactionCoding>
      <transactionAmounts>
         <transactionShares>
           <value>0</value>
         </transactionShares>
         <transactionValue>
           <value>0</value>
         </transactionValue>
         <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
           <value>A</value>
         </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
      </transactionAmounts>
     <postTransactionAmounts>
         <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
           <value>1000.0000</value>
         </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
         <directOrIndirectOwnership>
            <value>D</value>
         </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
   </nonDerivativeSecurity>
   <footnotes>
<footnote id="F1"> Shares acq. thru PLC Def.Comp.Plan for Directors who are not Officers, exempt under Rule 16-b3.</footnote>

<footnote id="F2"> Total amt. inc. div. shares acq. under the Plan (see Footnote 1), exempt under Rule 16-a11.</footnote>
   </footnotes>
   <ownerSignature>
      <signatureName>Harriette Hyche by POA for Donald M. James</signatureName>
      <signatureDate>2003-07-09</signatureDate>
   </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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