SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): November 4, 2005 (November 3, 2005)

National HealthCare Corporation

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware

001-13489

52-2057472

(State of Incorporation)

(Commission File No.)

(IRS Employer

Identification Number)

100 Vine Street

Murfreesboro, TN 37130

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

(615) 890-2020

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Not Applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)



Item 2.02. Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

On November 3, 2005, National HealthCare Corporation issued a press release announcing its 2005 third quarter results. A copy of the press release is filed as Exhibit 99 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated by reference herein.



SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

National HealthCare Corporation
By: /s/ Robert G. Adams
Name: Robert G. Adams
Title: President
By: /s/ Donald K. Daniel
Name: Donald K. Daniel
Title: Principal Accounting Officer
Date: November 4, 2005




Exhibit Index

Number Exhibit
99 Press release, dated November 3, 2005


EXHIBIT 99

For release: November 3, 2005

Contact: Gerald Coggin, Sr. V.P. Corporate Relations

Phone: (615) 890-2020

NHC reports third quarter earnings up 23.4%

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. -- National HealthCare Corporation (AMEX: NHC), today announced net income for the quarter ended Sept. 30 of $7,967,000 or 65 cents per share basic and 62 cents diluted compared to $6,458,000 or 55 cents per share basic and 52 cents diluted for the same period last year, an increase of 23.4% and 18.2%, respectively.

Net revenues for the quarter were $137,723,000 versus $128,116,000 for the same period a year earlier.

For the nine months ended Sept. 30, net income was up to $18,789,000 compared to $15,195,000 for the same period last year, an increase of 23.6%. Earnings per share for the nine months rose to $1.54 per basic share compared to $1.30 per basic share, an increase of 18.5%. Net revenues for the nine months ended Sept. 30 climbed to $402,768,000 compared to $370,797,000 for 2004.

NHC provides services to 74 long-term health care centers with 9,177 beds. NHC also operates 31 homecare programs, six independent living centers and assisted living centers at 22 locations. NHC's other services include managed care specialty medical units, Alzheimer's units, hospice and a rehabilitation services company. In order to understand in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of NHC, the investor must review our most recent Form 10-Q quarterly report, Form 10-K annual report and press releases which are available on our web site at www.NHCcare.com.

Statements in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. NHC cautions investors that any forward-looking statements made involve risks and uncertainties and are not guarantees of future performance. All forward-looking statements represent NHC's best judgment as of the date of this release.

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NHC reports third quarter earnings up 23.4%



Condensed Statements of Income
(in thousands except share and per share Three Months Ended Sept. 30 Nine Months Ended Sept. 30
2005 2004 2005 2004
Revenues:
Net patient revenues $ 119,578 $ 112,235 $ 354,669 $ 326,195
Other revenues 18,145 15,881 48,099 44,602
Net revenues $ 137,723 $ 128,116 $ 402,768 $ 370,797
Costs and Expenses:
Salaries, wages and benefits $ 72,073 $ 68,007 $ 214,657 $ 200,049
Other operating 38,083 35,426 112,858 103,453
Writeoff of notes receivable --- --- 1,000 ---
Rent 10,424 9,827 31,235 30,745
Depreciation and amortization 3,759 3,624 11,201 10,068
Interest 387 379 1,195 922
Total costs and expenses $ 124,726 $ 117,263 $ 372,146 $ 345,237
Income Before Income Taxes 12,997 10,853 30,622 25,560
Income Tax Provisions (5,030) (4,395) (11,833) (10,365)
Net Income $ 7,967 $ 6,458 18,789 $ 15,195
Earnings Per Share:
Basic $ .65 $ .55 $ 1.54 $ 1.30
Diluted $ .62 $ .52 $ 1.47 $ 1.23
Weighted average common shares
Basic 12,245,39 11,674,212 12,239,684 11,669,95
Diluted 12,795,92 12,432,498 12,768,531 12,325,12
Balance Sheet Data Sept. 30 December
(in thousands) 2005 2004
Cash, restricted cash and marketable $ 188,796 $ 168,721
Current assets 252,304 227,734
Total assets 399,067 373,117
Current liabilities 141,085 128,605
Long-term obligations 29,759 30,726
Deferred lease credits 4,854 5,452
Deferred income 26,295 25,112
Stockholder's equity 195,985 182,348


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