<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001127602-17-028891.txt : 20171003
<SEC-HEADER>0001127602-17-028891.hdr.sgml : 20171003
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20171003155140
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001127602-17-028891
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20171003
FILED AS OF DATE:		20171003
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20171003

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			LEFFERSON C DOUGLAS
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001167405

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-34762
		FILM NUMBER:		171117699

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		300 HIGH STREET
		CITY:			HAMILTON
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			45011

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP /OH/
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000708955
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	NATIONAL COMMERCIAL BANKS [6021]
		IRS NUMBER:				311042001
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			OH
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		255 EAST FIFTH STREET
		STREET 2:		SUITE 800
		CITY:			CINCINNATI
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			45202
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8773229530

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		255 EAST FIFTH STREET
		STREET 2:		SUITE 800
		CITY:			CINCINNATI
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			45202
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>form4.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0306</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2017-10-03</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>1</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000708955</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP /OH/</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>FFBC</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001167405</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>LEFFERSON C DOUGLAS</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>255 EAST FIFTH STREET</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 2900</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>CINCINNATI</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>OH</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>45202</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <officerTitle>Chief Credit Officer</officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <footnotes></footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Billie L. Meents, POA</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2017-10-03</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
