-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 WF0kv3Ot2lHLZAge/yMZxg9f2EWlkqmugLJRJug+maVdo1TxDNUIGi65xc2s1wL2
 uVtYwaMZuewlG35fBiaRVA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000849213-04-000147.txt : 20040401
<SEC-HEADER>0000849213-04-000147.hdr.sgml : 20040401
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040401181027
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000849213-04-000147
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040401
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040401

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			PLUM CREEK TIMBER CO INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000849213
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS [6798]
		IRS NUMBER:				911912863
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		999 THIRD AVENUE
		STREET 2:		SUITE 4300
		CITY:			SEATTLE
		STATE:			WA
		ZIP:			98104-4040
		BUSINESS PHONE:		(206)467-3600

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		999 THIRD AVENUE
		STREET 2:		SUITE 4300
		CITY:			SEATTLE
		STATE:			WA
		ZIP:			98104-4040

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	PLUM CREEK TIMBER CO L P
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19920703

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			TOBIAS STEPHEN C
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001186080

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-10239
		FILM NUMBER:		04710804

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		NORFOLK SOUTHERN CORP
		STREET 2:		THREE COMMERCIAL PLACE
		CITY:			NORFOLK
		STATE:			VA
		ZIP:			23510-9219
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7576292680

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		NORFOLK SOUTHERN CORP
		STREET 2:		THREE COMMERCIAL PLACE
		CITY:			NORFOLK
		STATE:			VA
		ZIP:			23510-9219
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>tob294.xml
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-04-01</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000849213</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>PLUM CREEK TIMBER CO INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>PCL</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001186080</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>TOBIAS STEPHEN C</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>999 THIRD AVE.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>STE. 4300</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SEATTLE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>WA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>981044040</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-04-01</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <deemedExecutionDate></deemedExecutionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>235.02</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>32.87</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>2003.38</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>By Trust</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Option (2004 SIP)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>30.91</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2014-02-02</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>6000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>6000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Option (2003 SIP)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>21.91</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2013-01-28</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>3000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>3000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Option (2002 SIP)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>29.70</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2012-01-24</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>3000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>3000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Represents shares of Common Stock acquired pursuant to Issuer's Director Stock Ownership and Deferral Plan, receipt of which has been deferred pursuant to the terms of the Plan.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">The option issued under the Plum Creek Stock Incentive Plan provides the right to purchase Common Stock at the fair market value thereof on the date of grant, and will be exercisable after vesting.  The option vests in four equal annual installments, beginning one year after the date of grant.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>By: Jose J. Quintana, Power of Attorney</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-04-01</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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