<SUBMISSION>
<ACCESSION-NUMBER>0000708955-03-000068
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<PERIOD>20030703
<FILING-DATE>20030708
<ISSUER>
<COMPANY-DATA>
<CONFORMED-NAME>FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP /OH/
<CIK>0000708955
<ASSIGNED-SIC>6021
<IRS-NUMBER>311042001
<STATE-OF-INCORPORATION>OH
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>1231
</COMPANY-DATA>
<BUSINESS-ADDRESS>
<STREET1>300 HIGH ST
<CITY>HAMILTON
<STATE>OH
<ZIP>45011
<PHONE>5138674700
</BUSINESS-ADDRESS>
<MAIL-ADDRESS>
<STREET1>300 HIGH ST
<CITY>HAMILTON
<STATE>OH
<ZIP>45011
</MAIL-ADDRESS>
</ISSUER>
<REPORTING-OWNER>
<OWNER-DATA>
<CONFORMED-NAME>MORIARTY BRIAN D
<CIK>0001167407
</OWNER-DATA>
<FILING-VALUES>
<FORM-TYPE>4
<ACT>34
<FILE-NUMBER>000-12379
<FILM-NUMBER>03778650
</FILING-VALUES>
<BUSINESS-ADDRESS>
<STREET1>C/O FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP
<STREET2>300 HIGHSTREET PO BOX 476
<CITY>HAMILTON
<STATE>OH
<ZIP>45012
<PHONE>5138674951
</BUSINESS-ADDRESS>
<MAIL-ADDRESS>
<STREET1>183 COMPTON ROAD
<CITY>CINCINNATI
<STATE>OH
<ZIP>45215
</MAIL-ADDRESS>
</REPORTING-OWNER>
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<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>c0001167407d20030708f4f.xml
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