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): March 4, 2004
                                 (March 4, 2004)


                         AMERICAN RETIREMENT CORPORATION
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)





       Tennessee                    01-13031                    62-1674303
(State of Incorporation)       (Commission File No.)           (IRS Employer
                                                             Identification No.)





           111 Westwood Place, Suite 200
                Brentwood, Tennessee                       37027
       (Address of Principal Executive Office)           (Zip code)




      Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (615) 221-2250











Item 9.  Regulation FD Disclosure.

Supplemental information relating to American Retirement Corporation's fourth
quarter year-end 2003 results is furnished herewith as Exhibit 99.1.


Item 12.  Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

Supplemental information relating to American Retirement Corporation's fourth
quarter year-end 2003 results is furnished herewith as Exhibit 99.1.











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                                   SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant  has duly  caused  this  report  to be  signed  on its  behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.



                                       AMERICAN RETIREMENT CORPORATION

Date:  March 4, 2004                   By:    /s/ Bryan D. Richardson
                                       --------------------------------
                                       Name:  Bryan D. Richardson
                                       Title: Executive Vice President and Chief
                                              Financial Officer


























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                                  EXHIBIT INDEX


           No.              Exhibit

           99.1             Supplemental Information









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