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<TABLE WIDTH="100%">
<TR VALIGN="TOP"><TD COLSPAN="3" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE="+1"><STRONG>UNITED STATES</STRONG></FONT><FONT FACE="Arial"></FONT></TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP"><TD COLSPAN="3" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT FACE="Arial"></FONT><FONT SIZE="+1"><STRONG>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</STRONG></FONT></TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP"><TD COLSPAN="3">
<P ALIGN="CENTER"><STRONG>Washington, D.C.  20549</STRONG></TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP"><TD></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP"><TD COLSPAN="3">
<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE="+1"><STRONG>FORM 8-K</STRONG></FONT></TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP"><TD></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP"><TD COLSPAN="3">
<P ALIGN="CENTER">CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT</TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP"><TD COLSPAN="3">
<P ALIGN="CENTER">TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE</TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP"><TD COLSPAN="3">
<P ALIGN="CENTER">SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934</TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP"><TD></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP"><TD COLSPAN="3">
<P ALIGN="CENTER">Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): September 30, 2003 (September 30, 2003)</TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP"><TD></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP"><TD COLSPAN="3">
<P ALIGN="CENTER"><STRONG><FONT SIZE="+1"><U>                    National Health Investors, Inc.                    </U></STRONG></FONT><STRONG></STRONG></TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP"><TD COLSPAN="3">
<P ALIGN="CENTER">(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)</TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP"><TD></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP"><TD COLSPAN="3">
<P ALIGN="CENTER"><U>        Maryland      </U></TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP"><TD COLSPAN="3">
<P ALIGN="CENTER">(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)</TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP"><TD COLSPAN="2"></TD>
<TD></TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP"><TD COLSPAN="2">
<P ALIGN="CENTER"><U>        333-41863        </U></TD>
<TD>
<P ALIGN="CENTER"><U>   62-1470956   </U></TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP"><TD COLSPAN="2">
<P ALIGN="CENTER">(Commission File No.)</TD>
<TD>
<P ALIGN="CENTER">(IRS Employer</TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP"><TD></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD>
<P ALIGN="CENTER">Identification Number)</TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP"><TD></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP"><TD COLSPAN="3">
<P ALIGN="CENTER">100 Vine Street, Suite 1202</TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP"><TD COLSPAN="3">
<P ALIGN="CENTER"><U>Murfreesboro, TN 37130</U></TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP"><TD COLSPAN="3">
<P ALIGN="CENTER">(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)</TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP"><TD></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP"><TD COLSPAN="3">
<P ALIGN="CENTER"><U>        (615) 890-9100        </U></TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP"><TD COLSPAN="3">
<P ALIGN="CENTER">(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)</TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP"><TD COLSPAN="3"></TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP"><TD COLSPAN="3">
<P ALIGN="CENTER"><U>          Not Applicable          </U></TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP"><TD COLSPAN="3">
<P ALIGN="CENTER">(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)</TD></TR></TABLE>
</P>
<BR WP="BR1"><BR WP="BR2">
<BR WP="BR1"><BR WP="BR2">
<P><STRONG>Item 5.  Other Events</STRONG></P>

<BR WP="BR1"><BR WP="BR2">
<BR WP="BR1"><BR WP="BR2">
<P>	On September 30, 2003, National Health Investors, Inc. announced that one of its owned
facilities was damaged by fire.  A copy of the press release is furnished as an exhibit to this Form
8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.</P>

<BR WP="BR1"><BR WP="BR2">
<BR WP="BR1"><BR WP="BR2">
<BR WP="BR1"><BR WP="BR2">
<BR WP="BR1"><BR WP="BR2">
<P ALIGN="CENTER">SIGNATURES</P>

<BR WP="BR1"><BR WP="BR2">
<P>	Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant
has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly
authorized.</P>

<BR WP="BR1"><BR WP="BR2">
<TABLE WIDTH="100%">
<TR VALIGN="TOP"><TD></TD>
<TD>National Health Investors, Inc.</TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP"><TD></TD>
<TD></TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP"><TD></TD>
<TD></TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP"><TD></TD>
<TD>By: <U>/s/ W. Andrew Adams               </U></TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP"><TD></TD>
<TD>Name: W. Andrew Adams</TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP"><TD></TD>
<TD>Title: Chief Executive Officer</TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP"><TD></TD>
<TD></TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP"><TD></TD>
<TD></TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP"><TD></TD>
<TD></TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP"><TD></TD>
<TD>By:<U>/s/ Donald K. Daniel                   </U></TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP"><TD></TD>
<TD>Name:  Donald K. Daniel</TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP"><TD></TD>
<TD>Title: Principal Accounting Officer</TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP"><TD>Date: September 30, 2003</TD>
<TD></TD></TR></TABLE>

<BR WP="BR1"><BR WP="BR2">
<BR WP="BR1"><BR WP="BR2">
<P ALIGN="CENTER">Exhibit Index</P>

<BR WP="BR1"><BR WP="BR2">
<TABLE WIDTH="100%">
<TR VALIGN="TOP"><TD><STRONG>Number</STRONG></TD>
<TD><STRONG>Exhibit</STRONG></TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP"><TD>99</TD>
<TD>Press release, dated September 30, 2003.</TD></TR></TABLE>

<BR WP="BR1"><BR WP="BR2">
<BR WP="BR1"><BR WP="BR2">
<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="-2"></FONT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="-1">EXHIBIT 99</FONT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="-2"></FONT></P>

<BR WP="BR1"><BR WP="BR2">
<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="-2">For Release:  Sept. 30, 2003</FONT></P>

<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="-2">Contact: Gerald Coggin, VP of Investor Relations</FONT></P>

<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="-2">Phone: (615) 890-9100</FONT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman"></FONT></P>

<BR WP="BR1"><BR WP="BR2">
<BR WP="BR1"><BR WP="BR2">
<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="+1">NHI building damaged by fire</FONT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman"></FONT></P>

<BR WP="BR1"><BR WP="BR2">
<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman">	MURFREESBORO, Tenn. -- National Health Investors, Inc., (NYSE: NHI and NHIPr) announced
today that one of its owned facilities, located in Nashville, Tennessee and leased to National HealthCare
Corporation ("NHC"), was damaged by a fire which resulted in the death of eight patients and the
hospitalization or transfer of another 111 patients.  </FONT></P>

<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman">	"NHI's thoughts and prayers are extended to the patients and their families affected by this tragedy,"
NHI President Andy Adams said.  "The cause of the fire is still under investigation and NHI is cooperating
fully."</FONT></P>

<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman">	Under the terms of NHC's property and casualty policy, NHI is a loss payee and additional named
insured.  Additionally, the policy includes business interruption insurance and as a result, NHI expects to
receive 100% of the rent due on this facility through the reconstruction process.  </FONT></P>

<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman">	NHI is also an additional named insured on NHC's professional and general liability policy and as a
result does not carry any insurance.  Under the terms of the October, 1991 lease, NHC is required to
maintain limits of not less than $1,000,000 per occurrence and $1,000,000 in the aggregate.  NHI is
advised that NHC's current policy limits exceed these requirements.  Additionally, under the terms of the
lease, NHC agrees to indemnify and hold harmless NHI from any damages or liabilities, including legal
fees, resulting from the incident.  There can be no assurance that claims will not exceed these limits or that
claims will not be asserted against NHI. NHI's potential liability from this incident or NHC's ability to
meet any indemnification obligation to NHI cannot be determined at this time.  </FONT></P>

<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman">	NHI specializes in the financing of health care real estate by first mortgage and by purchase and
leaseback transactions.  The common and preferred stocks of the company trade on the New York Stock
Exchange with the symbols NHI and NHIPr respectively.  Additional information including NHI's most
recent press releases may be obtained on our web site at www.nhinvestors.com.</FONT></P>

<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman">	</FONT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="-1"><EM>Statements in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements.  NHI  cautions investors that any
forward-looking statements made involve risks and uncertainties and are not guarantees of future performance.  The risks and
uncertainties are detailed from time to time in reports filed by NHI with the SEC., including Forms 8-K, 10-Q, and 10-K, and
include, among others, the following: ongoing health problems or additional deaths from the incident, results from investigations,
assertions of claims, results of litigation, availability of insurance and assets for indemnification, and other factors referenced or
incorporated by reference in the SEC. filings.  The risks included here are not exhaustive.    All forward-looking statements
represent NHI's judgment as of the date of this release.</EM></FONT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman"><EM>	</EM></FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman">- 30 -</FONT></P>

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{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "NATIONAL HEALTH INVESTORS INC", "cik": "0000877860", "assigned-sic": "6798", "irs-number": "621470956", "state-of-incorporation": "MD", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "8-K", "act": "34", "file-number": "001-10822", "film-number": "03916529"}, "business-address": {"street1": "100 VINE ST STE 1400", "street2": "CITY CENTER", "city": "MURFREESBORO", "state": "TN", "zip": "37130", "phone": "6158909100"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "P.O. BOX 1102", "city": "MURFREESBORO", "state": "TN", "zip": "37133"}}
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C.  20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT
TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): September 30, 2003 (September 30, 2003)
National Health Investors, Inc.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
Maryland
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)
333-41863
62-1470956
(Commission File No.)
(IRS Employer
Identification Number)
100 Vine Street, Suite 1202
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)
(615) 890-9100
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
Not Applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
Item 5.  Other Events
On September 30, 2003, National Health Investors, Inc. announced that one of its owned
facilities was damaged by fire.  A copy of the press release is furnished as an exhibit to this Form
8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant
has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly
authorized.
National Health Investors, Inc.
By:
/s/ W. Andrew Adams
Name: W. Andrew Adams
Title: Chief Executive Officer
By:
/s/ Donald K. Daniel
Name:  Donald K. Daniel
Title: Principal Accounting Officer
Date: September 30, 2003
Exhibit Index
Number
Exhibit
99
Press release, dated September 30, 2003.
EXHIBIT 99
For Release:  Sept. 30, 2003
Contact: Gerald Coggin, VP of Investor Relations
Phone: (615) 890-9100
NHI building damaged by fire
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. -- National Health Investors, Inc., (NYSE: NHI and NHIPr) announced
today that one of its owned facilities, located in Nashville, Tennessee and leased to National HealthCare
Corporation ("NHC"), was damaged by a fire which resulted in the death of eight patients and the
hospitalization or transfer of another 111 patients.
"NHI's thoughts and prayers are extended to the patients and their families affected by this tragedy,"
NHI President Andy Adams said.  "The cause of the fire is still under investigation and NHI is cooperating
fully."
Under the terms of NHC's property and casualty policy, NHI is a loss payee and additional named
insured.  Additionally, the policy includes business interruption insurance and as a result, NHI expects to
receive 100% of the rent due on this facility through the reconstruction process.
NHI is also an additional named insured on NHC's professional and general liability policy and as a
result does not carry any insurance.  Under the terms of the October, 1991 lease, NHC is required to
maintain limits of not less than $1,000,000 per occurrence and $1,000,000 in the aggregate.  NHI is
advised that NHC's current policy limits exceed these requirements.  Additionally, under the terms of the
lease, NHC agrees to indemnify and hold harmless NHI from any damages or liabilities, including legal
fees, resulting from the incident.  There can be no assurance that claims will not exceed these limits or that
claims will not be asserted against NHI. NHI's potential liability from this incident or NHC's ability to
meet any indemnification obligation to NHI cannot be determined at this time.
NHI specializes in the financing of health care real estate by first mortgage and by purchase and
leaseback transactions.  The common and preferred stocks of the company trade on the New York Stock
Exchange with the symbols NHI and NHIPr respectively.  Additional information including NHI's most
recent press releases may be obtained on our web site at www.nhinvestors.com.
Statements in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements.  NHI  cautions investors that any
forward-looking statements made involve risks and uncertainties and are not guarantees of future performance.  The risks and
uncertainties are detailed from time to time in reports filed by NHI with the SEC., including Forms 8-K, 10-Q, and 10-K, and
include, among others, the following: ongoing health problems or additional deaths from the incident, results from investigations,
assertions of claims, results of litigation, availability of insurance and assets for indemnification, and other factors referenced or
incorporated by reference in the SEC. filings.  The risks included here are not exhaustive.    All forward-looking statements
represent NHI's judgment as of the date of this release.
- 30 -