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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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 q4eM4ppRY5UyyR5CVeBtTw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000783005-04-000033.txt : 20040115
<SEC-HEADER>0000783005-04-000033.hdr.sgml : 20040115
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040115170418
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000783005-04-000033
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040114
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040115

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			THOE GARY A
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001193946

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-23264
		FILM NUMBER:		04527875

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		40 MONUMENT CIRCLE
		STREET 2:		SUITE 700
		CITY:			INDIANAPOLIS
		STATE:			IN
		ZIP:			46204

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			EMMIS COMMUNICATIONS CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000783005
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	RADIO BROADCASTING STATIONS [4832]
		IRS NUMBER:				351542018
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			IN
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0228

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE EMMIS PLAZA
		STREET 2:		40 MONUMENT CIRCLE SUITE 700
		CITY:			INDIANAPOLIS
		STATE:			IN
		ZIP:			46204
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3172660100

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE EMMIS PLAZA
		STREET 2:		40 MONUMENT CIRCLE #700
		CITY:			INDIANAPOLIS
		STATE:			IN
		ZIP:			46204

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	EMMIS BROADCASTING CORPORATION
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19920703
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>c0001193946d20040115f4f.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
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<ownershipDocument><schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>    <documentType>4</documentType><periodOfReport>2004-01-14</periodOfReport><notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16><issuer><issuerCik>0000783005</issuerCik><issuerName>EMMIS COMMUNICATIONS CORP</issuerName>        <issuerTradingSymbol>EMMS</issuerTradingSymbol></issuer><reportingOwner><reportingOwnerId><rptOwnerCik>0001193946</rptOwnerCik><rptOwnerName>THOE GARY A</rptOwnerName></reportingOwnerId><reportingOwnerAddress><rptOwnerStreet1>40 MONUMENT CIRCLE, SUITE 700</rptOwnerStreet1><rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2><rptOwnerCity>INDIANAPOLIS</rptOwnerCity><rptOwnerState>IN</rptOwnerState><rptOwnerZipCode>46204</rptOwnerZipCode><rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription></reportingOwnerAddress><reportingOwnerRelationship><isDirector>0</isDirector><isOfficer>1</isOfficer><isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner><isOther>0</isOther><officerTitle>Publishing Division President</officerTitle><otherText></otherText></reportingOwnerRelationsh
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nsactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value></value></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeHolding><derivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Employee Stock Opt. Right to Buy</value></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><value>35.375</value></conversionOrExercisePrice><exerciseDate><value>2001-03-01</value></exerciseDate><expirationDate><value>2010-02-28</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><natureOfOwnership><value></value></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeHolding></derivativeTable><footnot
es></footnotes><ownerSignature><signatureName>J. Scott Enright</signatureName><signatureDate>2004-01-15</signatureDate></ownerSignature></ownershipDocument>

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