<SUBMISSION>
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<PERIOD>20040109
<FILING-DATE>20040112
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<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>GARLAND JAMES C
<CIK>0001167400
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<FILING-VALUES>
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<ACT>34
<FILE-NUMBER>000-12379
<FILM-NUMBER>04520750
</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>201 FOUDEBUSH HALL
<CITY>OXFORD
<STATE>OH
<ZIP>45056
</MAIL-ADDRESS>
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<FILENAME>c0001167400d20040112f4f.xml
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Ziepfel</signatureName><signatureDate>2004-01-12</signatureDate></ownerSignature></ownershipDocument>

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