-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 WnUo+uesQmP+0YAn/qlfPHCAS//li/IdiL24+qOr7p9gmR6+7U3tYyCMAgeWK45D
 Mnass+zn61CbukqemmT7Ow==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000912595-03-000191.txt : 20031112
<SEC-HEADER>0000912595-03-000191.hdr.sgml : 20031111
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20031112145344
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000912595-03-000191
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20031111
FILED AS OF DATE:		20031112

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CATES GEORGE E
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001189264

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-12762
		FILM NUMBER:		03993188

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		6584 POPLAR AVE
		STREET 2:		STE 300
		CITY:			MEMPHIS
		STATE:			TN
		ZIP:			38138
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9016826600

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MID AMERICA APARTMENT COMMUNITIES INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000912595
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS [6798]
		IRS NUMBER:				621543819
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			TN
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		6584 POPLAR AVE
		STREET 2:		STE 340
		CITY:			MEMPHIS
		STATE:			TN
		ZIP:			38138
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9016826600

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		6584 POPLAR AVE
		STREET 2:		SUITE 340
		CITY:			MEMPHIS
		STATE:			TN
		ZIP:			38138
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>c0001189264d20031112f4f.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
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<value>D</value></transactionAcquiredDisposedCode></transactionAmounts><exerciseDate><value>1995-02-04</value></exerciseDate><expirationDate><value>2004-02-04</value></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common Stock</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>46200</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>0</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value></value></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeTransaction><derivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Stock Option</value></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><value>26.5</value></conversionOrExercisePrice><exerciseDate><value>1997-02-14</value></exerciseDate><expirationDate><value>2006-02-14</value></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common Stock</val
ue></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>25000</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>25000</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value></value></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeHolding><derivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Stock Option</value></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><value>29.5</value></conversionOrExercisePrice><exerciseDate><value>1998-02-12</value></exerciseDate><expirationDate><value>2007-02-12</value></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common Stock</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>40000</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>40000</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionA
mounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value></value></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeHolding><derivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Limited Partnership Units</value></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><value>24.5</value></conversionOrExercisePrice><exerciseDate><value>1995-02-04</value></exerciseDate><expirationDate><value>1988-08-08</value></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common Stock</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>197591</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>197591</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value></value></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeHolding><derivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Limited P
artnership Units</value></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><value>28.5</value></conversionOrExercisePrice><exerciseDate><value>1998-07-23</value></exerciseDate><expirationDate><value>1988-08-08</value></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common Stock</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>3642.44</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>3642.44</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value></value></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeHolding><derivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Limited Partnership Units</value></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><value>24.5</value></conversionOrExercisePrice><exerciseDate><value>1995-02-04</value></exerciseDate><expirationDate><value>1988-08-08</value></expirationDate><underlyi
ngSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common Stock</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>38203</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>38203</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>I</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value>Spouse</value></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeHolding></derivativeTable><footnotes><footnote id="F1">Balance includes dividend reinvestment shares.</footnote></footnotes><ownerSignature><signatureName>Leslie Bratten Cantrell Wolfgang</signatureName><signatureDate>2003-11-12</signatureDate></ownerSignature></ownershipDocument>

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