-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 ngnZiRaDcrjiT5lPBDGrLw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001209191-04-034872.txt : 20040706
<SEC-HEADER>0001209191-04-034872.hdr.sgml : 20040705
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040706162739
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001209191-04-034872
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040701
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040706

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			SANFORD E HALSEY
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001086322
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SERVICES-NURSING & PERSONAL CARE FACILITIES [8050]
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			KY
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-20372
		FILM NUMBER:		04902663

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		10140 LINN STATION RD
		CITY:			LOUISVILLE
		STATE:			KY
		ZIP:			40223
		BUSINESS PHONE:		5023942100

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		10140 LINN STATION RD
		CITY:			LOUISVILLE
		STATE:			KY
		ZIP:			40223

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			RES CARE INC /KY/
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000776325
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SERVICES-NURSING & PERSONAL CARE FACILITIES [8050]
		IRS NUMBER:				610875371
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			KY
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		10140 LINN STATION RD
		CITY:			LOUISVILLE
		STATE:			KY
		ZIP:			40223
		BUSINESS PHONE:		5023942100

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		10140 LINN STATION RD
		CITY:			LOUISVILLE
		STATE:			KY
		ZIP:			40223
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>bci08388_bco1.xml
<DESCRIPTION>MAIN DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-07-01</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000776325</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>RES CARE INC /KY/</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>RSCR</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001086322</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>SANFORD E HALSEY</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>622 MARYHILL LANE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>LOUISVILLE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>KY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>40207</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable></nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>12.18</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-07-01</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>4500</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>12.18</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2004-07-01</value>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2009-07-01</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>4500</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>4500</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Grant of option to buy pursuant to Res-Care's 2000 Non-Employee Directors Stock Ownership Incentive Plan.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">The grant vests and becomes exercisable in 25% increments on the award date and each of the first three anniversaries of the award.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ L. Bryan Shaul on behalf of E. Halsey Sandford</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-07-02</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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