-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
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,
 NKfRr3ozVDZBFBzFx8RdMBXmtg/9hWEEvYPBA3saQhDWIYawhpdUfynEHCh6xudV
 omSxfv1wi2Zy66ZXjzWPVA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000885721-04-000009.txt : 20040112
<SEC-HEADER>0000885721-04-000009.hdr.sgml : 20040112
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040112145948
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000885721-04-000009
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20031231
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040112

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BASCOMB STUART L
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001235671

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-20199
		FILM NUMBER:		04520519

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		EXPRESS SCRIPTS INC
		STREET 2:		13900 RIVERPORT DRIVE
		CITY:			MARYLAND HEIGHTS
		STATE:			MO
		ZIP:			63043

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			EXPRESS SCRIPTS INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000885721
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	RETAIL-DRUG STORES AND PROPRIETARY STORES [5912]
		IRS NUMBER:				431420563
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1202

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		13900 REIVERPORT DRIVE
		CITY:			MARYLAND HEIGHTS
		STATE:			MO
		ZIP:			63043
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3147701666

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		13900 REIVERPORT DRIVE
		CITY:			MARYLAND HEIGHTS
		STATE:			MO
		ZIP:			63043
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>form4-123103_ex.xml
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<!-- - EDGAR Ease Plus 1.0                                   07/25/03  TT    -->
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>
   <periodOfReport>2003-12-31</periodOfReport>
   <notSubjectToSection16>1</notSubjectToSection16>
    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000885721</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>EXPRESS SCRIPTS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>ESRX</issuerTradingSymbol>
   </issuer>
   <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001235671</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>BASCOMB STUART L</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>EXPRESS SCRIPTS INC</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>13900 RIVERPORT DRIVE</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>MARYLAND HEIGHTS</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MO</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>63043</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
         <isDirector>0</isDirector>
         <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
         <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
         <isOther>1</isOther>
         <otherText>Former Officer and Director</otherText>
      </reportingOwnerRelationship>
   </reportingOwner>
 <nonDerivativeTable>
   <nonDerivativeTransaction>
      <securityTitle>
         <value>Common Stock</value>
            <footnoteId id="F1"/>
      </securityTitle>
      <transactionDate>
         <value>2003-12-31</value>
      </transactionDate>
      <transactionCoding>
         <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
         <transactionCode>D</transactionCode>
         <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
      </transactionCoding>
      <transactionAmounts>
         <transactionShares>
           <value>4938</value>
            <footnoteId id="F2"/>
         </transactionShares>
         <transactionPricePerShare>
           <value>66.34</value>
         </transactionPricePerShare>
         <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
           <value>D</value>
         </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
      </transactionAmounts>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
         <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
           <value>43953</value>
         </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
         <directOrIndirectOwnership>
            <value>D</value>
         </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
   </nonDerivativeTransaction>
 </nonDerivativeTable>
   <footnotes>
      <footnote id="F1"> Express Scripts, Inc. Common Stock</footnote>

      <footnote id="F2"> Represents shares tendered to Express Scripts, Inc. to cover Mr. Bascomb's tax liability due upon lapse of restricted stock previously awarded under Express Scripts, Inc. 2000 Long-Term Incentive Plan.</footnote>
   </footnotes>
   <ownerSignature>
      <signatureName>Stuart L. Bascomb</signatureName>
      <signatureDate>2004-01-12</signatureDate>
   </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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