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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 S8uFW0hE2l6jWmdw+RVdDCKhfsXt+WxJSJBaHBs/T8Yh1Kyz76Qt5Z1jXepgi5cB
 7RUoKUXgKHQ+4EacRDJt5w==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001228616-04-000265.txt : 20041201
<SEC-HEADER>0001228616-04-000265.hdr.sgml : 20041201
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20041201110423
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001228616-04-000265
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	5
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20041031
FILED AS OF DATE:		20041201
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20041201

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			D ALESSANDRO DAVID F
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001109100

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		5
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	811-08568
		FILM NUMBER:		041176174

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		617 572 6000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		JOHN HANCOCK FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC
		STREET 2:		JOHN HANCOCK PLACE,  PO BOX 111
		CITY:			BOSTON
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			02117

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			HANCOCK JOHN BANK & THRIFT OPPORTUNITY FUND
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000925683
		IRS NUMBER:				043241844
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			MA

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		101 HUNTINGTON AVE
		CITY:			BOSTON
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			02199
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6173751700

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		101 HUNTINGTON AVE
		CITY:			BOSTON
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			02199

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	HANCOCK JOHN REGIONAL BANK & THRIFT FUND
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19940620
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>5
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>5</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-10-31</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>1</notSubjectToSection16>

    <form3HoldingsReported>0</form3HoldingsReported>

    <form4TransactionsReported>0</form4TransactionsReported>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000925683</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>HANCOCK JOHN BANK &amp; THRIFT OPPORTUNITY FUND</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>BTO</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001109100</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>D ALESSANDRO DAVID F</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>JOHN HANCOCK FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>JOHN HANCOCK PLACE,  PO BOX 111</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>BOSTON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>02117</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Susan S. Newton, by Power of Attorney</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-10-27</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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