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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,
 Pt7NKu6VOKT0iDwE8QkCQmKi7D0m0uH2IOBdwF9Uv+irKp91X7Cf7EMWAHUHX3Ut
 zr6XRAHtpskxQN0rNcEgjw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000912595-03-000203.txt : 20031119
<SEC-HEADER>0000912595-03-000203.hdr.sgml : 20031119
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20031119123805
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000912595-03-000203
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20031119
FILED AS OF DATE:		20031119

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:		031012172

	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>c0001189264d20031119f4f.xml
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<ownershipDocument><schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>    <documentType>4</documentType><periodOfReport>2003-11-19</periodOfReport><notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16><issuer><issuerCik>0000912595</issuerCik><issuerName>MID AMERICA APARTMENT COMMUNITIES INC</issuerName>        <issuerTradingSymbol>MAA</issuerTradingSymbol></issuer><reportingOwner><reportingOwnerId><rptOwnerCik>0001189264</rptOwnerCik><rptOwnerName>CATES GEORGE E</rptOwnerName></reportingOwnerId><reportingOwnerAddress><rptOwnerStreet1>6584 POPLAR AVENUE</rptOwnerStreet1><rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 300</rptOwnerStreet2><rptOwnerCity>MEMPHIS</rptOwnerCity><rptOwnerState>TN</rptOwnerState><rptOwnerZipCode>38138-</rptOwnerZipCode><rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription></reportingOwnerAddress><reportingOwnerRelationship><isDirector>1</isDirector><isOfficer>0</isOfficer><isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner><isOther>0</isOther><officerTitle></officerTitle><otherText></otherText></reportingOwnerRelationship></reportingOwner><
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Nature><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></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value></value></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeHolding><derivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Limited Partnership Units</value></securi
tyTitle><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 Partnership Units</value></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><value>28.5</value></conversionOrExercisePrice><exerciseDate><value>1998-07-23</value></exerciseDate><expirationDate><value>1988-08-08</value></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitl
e><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><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common Stock</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>38203</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>38203</value></sharesO
wnedFollowingTransaction></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>2003-11-19</signatureDate></ownerSignature></ownershipDocument>

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</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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