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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001209191-08-064258.txt : 20081205
<SEC-HEADER>0001209191-08-064258.hdr.sgml : 20081205
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20081205133356
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001209191-08-064258
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		2
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20081201
FILED AS OF DATE:		20081205
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20081205

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			OBERHELMAN DOUGLAS R
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001171770

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-06351
		FILM NUMBER:		081232128

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3096754610

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		100 NE ADAMS STREET
		CITY:			PEORIA
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			61629

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			LILLY ELI & CO
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000059478
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	PHARMACEUTICAL PREPARATIONS [2834]
		IRS NUMBER:				350470950
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			IN
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		LILLY CORPORATE CTR
		STREET 2:		DROP CODE 1112
		CITY:			INDIANAPOLIS
		STATE:			IN
		ZIP:			46285
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3172762000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		LILLY CORPORATE CENTER
		STREET 2:		DROP CODE 1112
		CITY:			INDIANAPOLIS
		STATE:			IN
		ZIP:			46285
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>doc3.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 3 SUBMISSION
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0203</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2008-12-01</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>1</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000059478</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>LILLY ELI &amp; CO</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>LLY</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001171770</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>OBERHELMAN DOUGLAS R</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>LILLY CORPORATE CENTER</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>INDIANAPOLIS</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>IN</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>46285</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <footnotes></footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Douglas R. Oberhelman</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-12-05</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-24.3_265001
<SEQUENCE>2
<FILENAME>poa.txt
<DESCRIPTION>POA DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
                          Douglas R. Oberhelman
                          Lilly Corporate Center
                       Indianapolis, Indiana 46285


Securities and Exchange Commission
Washington, D.C. 20549


Authorization Regarding Reporting Forms


I hereby authorize and designate the following persons to sign and file
with the Commission on my behalf Forms 3, 4, and 5 covering my transactions
and holdings in the common stock and other equity securities of
Eli Lilly and Company as required by Section 16 of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 and the rules thereunder:


	Robert A. Armitage, Lilly Corporate Center, Indianapolis, Indiana
	James B. Lootens, Lilly Corporate Center, Indianapolis, Indiana
	Bronwen L. Mantlo, Lilly Corporate Center, Indianapolis, Indiana

This authorization and designation shall remain in effect until a written
revocation is signed by me and provided to the Commission.



					Douglas R. Oberhelman
December 5, 2008
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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