UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              Washington, DC 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, 2004
                               (November 4, 2004)


                         AMERICAN RETIREMENT CORPORATION
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               (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

          Tennessee                     01-13031                  62-1674303
-------------------------------      --------------         --------------------
 (State or Other Jurisdiction         (Commission              (I.R.S. Employer
       of Incorporation)              File Number)           Identification No.)

     111 Westwood Place, Suite 200
          Brentwood, Tennessee                                      37027
-----------------------------------------                        ------------
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)                          (Zip Code)

                                 (615) 221-2250
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              (Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

                                 Not Applicable
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          (Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

     Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to
simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the
following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

     |_|  Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act
          (17 CFR 230.425)

     |_|  Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17
          CFR 240.14a-12)

     |_|  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the
          Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

     |_|  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the
          Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))




Item 2.02. Results of Operations and Financial Condition

     On November 4, 2004, American Retirement Corporation issued a press release
announcing its third quarter 2004 earnings results. A copy of the press release
is furnished herewith as Exhibit 99.1.

     Supplemental information relating to American Retirement Corporation's
third quarter 2004 results is furnished herewith as Exhibit 99.2.

Item 7.01. Regulation FD Disclosure

     On November 4, 2004, American Retirement Corporation issued a press release
announcing its third quarter 2004 earnings results. A copy of the press release
is furnished herewith as Exhibit 99.1.

     Supplemental information relating to American Retirement Corporation's
third quarter 2004 results is furnished herewith as Exhibit 99.2.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits

     (c)  Exhibits.

          99.1 Press Release dated November 4, 2004

          99.2 Supplemental Information



                                   SIGNATURES

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

                                          AMERICAN RETIREMENT CORPORATION


                                          By: /s/  Bryan D. Richardson
                                              ----------------------------------
                                              Bryan D. Richardson
                                              Executive Vice President and Chief
                                              Financial Officer

Date: November 4, 2004



                                  EXHIBIT INDEX


    Exhibit
    Number              Description
    ------              -----------

     99.1               Press Release dated November 4, 2004

     99.2               Supplemental Information