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): August 10, 2004
                                (August 10, 2004)

                         AMERICAN RETIREMENT CORPORATION
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


   Tennessee                       01-13031                     62-1674303
(State of Incorporation)     (Commission File No.)            (IRS Employer
                                                            Identification No.)



        111 Westwood Place, Suite 200
           Brentwood, Tennessee                         37027
    (Address of Principal Executive Office)           (Zip code)


       Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (615) 221-2250



Item 9.  Regulation FD Disclosure.

Supplemental information relating to American Retirement Corporation's second
quarter 2004 results is furnished herewith as Exhibit 99.1.


Item 12.  Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

Supplemental information relating to American Retirement Corporation's second
quarter 2004 results is furnished herewith as Exhibit 99.1.

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                                   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

Date:  August 10, 2004                  By:/s/ Bryan D. Richardson
                                           -----------------------
                                Name:   Bryan D. Richardson
                                Title:  Executive Vice President and Chief
                                        Financial Officer



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                                  EXHIBIT INDEX


        No.             Exhibit
        ---             -------

        99.1            Supplemental Information


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