<SUBMISSION>
<ACCESSION-NUMBER>0001209191-03-036172
<TYPE>4
<PUBLIC-DOCUMENT-COUNT>1
<PERIOD>20031222
<FILING-DATE>20031222
<ISSUER>
<COMPANY-DATA>
<CONFORMED-NAME>CENTENE CORP
<CIK>0001071739
<ASSIGNED-SIC>6324
<IRS-NUMBER>041406317
</COMPANY-DATA>
<BUSINESS-ADDRESS>
<STREET1>7711 CARONDELET AVE
<CITY>ST LOUIS
<STATE>MO
<ZIP>63105
<PHONE>3147254477
</BUSINESS-ADDRESS>
<MAIL-ADDRESS>
<STREET1>7711 CARONDELET AVE
<STREET2>SUITE 800
<CITY>ST LOUIS
<STATE>MO
<ZIP>63105
</MAIL-ADDRESS>
</ISSUER>
<REPORTING-OWNER>
<OWNER-DATA>
<CONFORMED-NAME>CAHILL EDWARD L
<CIK>0001025665
</OWNER-DATA>
<FILING-VALUES>
<FORM-TYPE>4
<ACT>34
<FILE-NUMBER>001-31826
<FILM-NUMBER>031067080
</FILING-VALUES>
<BUSINESS-ADDRESS>
<STREET1>A
<STREET2>10 NORTH CALVERT ST STE 735
<CITY>BALTIMORE
<STATE>MD
<ZIP>21202
<PHONE>4102441300
</BUSINESS-ADDRESS>
<MAIL-ADDRESS>
<STREET1>10 NORTH CALVERT ST
<STREET2>SUITE 735
<CITY>BALTIMORE
<STATE>MD
<ZIP>21202
</MAIL-ADDRESS>
</REPORTING-OWNER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>boc81709_01elc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>MAIN DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION
<TEXT>
<XML>
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</TEXT>
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</SUBMISSION>
