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FORM 11-K—For Annual Reports of Employee Stock Purchase, Savings and Similar Plans Pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

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UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

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FORM 11-K

ý	ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 (FEE REQUIRED)

For the year ended December 31, 2002

OR

o	TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 (NO FEE REQUIRED)

For the transition period from                               to                              

Commission file number 001-15925

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COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC. 401(k) PLAN

COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

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COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC. 401(k) PLAN

TABLE OF CONTENTS

			Page
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT			1
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2002 AND 2001:
	Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits		2
	Statements of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits		3
	Notes to Financial Statements		4-7
SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULE AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2002:
	Schedule of Assets (Held at End of Year)		8
SIGNATURES			9
EXHIBIT INDEX			10
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT			11
CERTIFICATIONS			12-13

Schedules other than that listed above have been omitted due to the absence of the conditions under which they are required.

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INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT

To the Participants and the Retirement Committee of Community Health Systems, Inc. 401(k) Plan Brentwood, Tennessee

        We have audited the accompanying statements of net assets available for benefits of Community Health Systems, Inc. 401(k) Plan as of December 31, 2002 and 2001, and the related statements of changes in net assets available for benefits for the years then ended. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Plan's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

        We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

        In our opinion, such financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the net assets available for benefits of the Plan at December 31, 2002 and 2001, and the changes in net assets available for benefits for the years then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

        Our audits were conducted for the purpose of forming an opinion on the basic financial statements taken as a whole. The supplemental schedule of assets held December 31, 2002 is presented for the purpose of additional analysis and is not a required part of the 2002 basic financial statements but is supplementary information required by the Department of Labor's Rules and Regulations for Reporting and Disclosure under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. The supplemental schedule is the responsibility of the Plan's management. Such supplemental schedule has been subjected to the auditing procedures applied in our audit of the 2002 basic financial statements and, in our opinion, is fairly stated in all material respects in relation to the 2002 basic financial statements taken as a whole.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

Nashville, Tennessee
June 13, 2003

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COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC. 401(k) PLAN

STATEMENTS OF NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS
DECEMBER 31, 2002 AND 2001

				2002			2001
ASSETS
Investments:
	Investments			$	80,839,363		$	71,647,193
	Participant notes receivable				2,093,309			1,565,974
		Total investments			82,932,672			73,213,167
Receivables:
	Participant contributions				901,558			631,327
	Employer matching contribution				5,475,028			3,900,626
		Total receivables			6,376,586			4,531,953
TOTAL ASSETS					89,309,258			77,745,120
LIABILITIES
Forfeitures in suspense					115,389			80,132
Participant paid fees					89,509			73,409
Excess participant contributions					171,076			—
NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS				$	88,933,284		$	77,591,579

See notes to financial statements.

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COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC. 401(k) PLAN

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2002 AND 2001

				2002			2001
Additions (deductions) to net assets attributed to:
Investment income:
	Net depreciation in fair value of investments			$	(14,256,387	)	$	(7,325,456	)
	Interest				132,896			122,110
	Dividends				1,474,999			1,315,573
		Total investment loss			(12,648,492	)		(5,887,773	)
Contributions:
	Participant				24,361,934			18,196,614
	Employer Basic				348,500			—
	Employer matching				5,485,195			3,900,626
		Total contributions			30,195,629			22,097,240
Total additions					17,547,137			16,209,467
Deductions from net assets attributed to:
	Benefits paid to participants				5,172,246			5,473,942
	Forfeitures in suspense				115,389			80,132
	Participant paid fees				334,942			167,577
	Excess participant contributions				582,855			—
					6,205,432			5,721,651
Net increase					11,341,705			10,487,816
Net assets available for benefits:
	Beginning of year				77,591,579			67,103,763
	End of year			$	88,933,284		$	77,591,579

See notes to financial statements.

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COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC. 401(k) PLAN

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2002 AND 2001

1.     DESCRIPTION OF THE PLAN

        General.    Effective February 1, 1987, Community Health Investment Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Community Health Systems, Inc. (the "Company"), adopted and approved the creation of the Community Health Systems, Inc. 401(k) Plan, (the "Plan"). Subsequently, the Plan was adopted by the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. The Plan and related trust are maintained for the exclusive benefit of the Plan participants, and no part of the trust may ever revert to the Company, except forfeitures of any unvested portion of a participant's "Matching Account", which may offset future Company contributions. Participants should refer to the Plan agreement for a complete description of the Plan's provisions.

        For those participating facilities of the Company, including the corporate offices, participation in the Plan is available to primarily all full-time employees after completion of six months of eligible service, as defined in the Plan document, or upon reaching his/her 21^st birthday, whichever is later. Company employment includes all previous service with an acquired employer. All employees of the Company are entitled to participate except individuals covered by a collective bargaining contract and those employees covered by other retirement plans to which the Company is required to contribute.

        Brandywine was acquired on June 1, 2001 and commenced participation in the Plan on July 1, 2001. Red Bud Regional Hospital was acquired September 1, 2001, and Jennersville Regional Hospital was acquired on October 1, 2001. Both hospitals began participation in the Plan on October 1, 2001. Easton Hospital was acquired on October 1, 2001, and South Texas Regional Medical Center was acquired on November 1, 2001. Both hospitals began participation in the Plan on January 1, 2002.

        Gateway Regional Medical Center was acquired and commenced participation into the Plan on January 1, 2002. Helena Regional Medical Center was acquired on March 1, 2002 and commenced participation into the Plan on April 1, 2002. Plateau Medical Center was acquired on June 30, 2002 and commenced participation into the Plan on August 1, 2002. Lock Haven was acquired on August 1, 2002 and commenced participation into the Plan on September 1, 2002. Salem Memorial Hospital was acquired on October 1, 2002 and commenced participation into the Plan on that date. Lake Wales Medical Center was acquired on December 1, 2002 and commenced participation into the Plan on January 1, 2003.

        Administration.    The Plan is administered by the Company's Retirement Committee of not less than three persons, all appointed by the Company's Board of Directors. The Retirement Committee is responsible for carrying out the provisions of the Plan, including the selection of the trustee. Scudder Trust Company ("Trustee") serves as trustee for the Plan. The Trustee holds, invests and administers the trust assets and contributions of the Plan.

        Contributions.    Eligible employees electing to participate in the Plan may make contributions by payroll deductions of 1% to 15% of basic compensation as defined in the Plan document, to the extent not exceeding Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") imposed limitations on contributions ($11,000 for 2002 and $10,500 for 2001 Plan years). Employee contributions beyond specific Plan thresholds are reimbursed to the participants and classified as excess participant contributions in the financial statements. Prior to each Plan year, employer contribution percentages are determined by the Plan Administrator. Employer matching contributions for 2002 and 2001 were 33¹/3% of the first 6% of eligible compensation the employee contributes to the Plan.

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        Participant Accounts.    The Retirement Committee utilizes the services of an outside firm to maintain individual accounts of each participant and record separately all activity as follows:

        "The Deferred Account" The value of participants' employee contributions and earnings on those contributions are maintained in this account.

        "The Rollover Account" The value of any rollover contributions from another qualified plan and associated earnings are maintained in this account.

        "The Matching Account" The value of matching contributions made by the Company on behalf of participants and associated earnings are maintained in this account.

        Effective July 1, 2002, a revision was made to the 401(k) plan for Easton Hospital employees. Non-union participants in the Easton 401(k) plan who were employed prior to 7/1/2001 received a $500 one-time start-up contribution and are eligible for an employer match of 50% of the first 6% of eligible compensation the employee contributes to the Plan. Union employees are not eligible for any employer contributions. All new enrollees into the Easton plan will be eligible for the 50% match.

        Vesting.    The balance in the participants' Deferred and Rollover Accounts is at all times fully vested and nonforfeitable. A participant becomes 20% vested in his "Matching Account" after three years of service and an additional 20% for each year of service thereafter until fully vested. A participant is credited with one year of service if he/she works 500 or more hours during the Plan year. Termination of participation in the Plan prior to the scheduled vesting period results in forfeiture of the unvested portion of a participant's Matching Account. These forfeitures shall be applied to reduce the Company's matching contribution payments made to the Plan in future periods. Forfeitures of $140,289 and $93,236 were applied against the Company's matching contribution payments for the years ended December 31, 2002 and 2001, respectively.

        Payment of Benefits.    A participant or his/her designated beneficiary is entitled to a distribution of the total value of his/her accounts upon his/her retirement at age 65, becoming totally and permanently disabled or death. Upon the termination of employment of a participant before reaching his/her 65th birthday for reasons other than death, he/she is entitled to receive the total value of his/her Deferred and Rollover Accounts and the vested portion of his Matching Account. While the participant is employed, he/she can withdraw only in the event of financial hardship. Such withdrawals are limited to the value of his/her Deferred and Rollover Accounts and the vested portion of his Matching account. The Retirement Committee shall require a participant requesting a hardship withdrawal to submit proof which demonstrates an immediate and heavy financial need which cannot be reasonably satisfied from other resources of the participant.

        Funding.    The Company shall transfer to the Trustee, as soon as practical, the full matching contribution after the close of the Plan year.

        Investments Options.    Contributions to the Plan shall be invested by the Trustee according to the participant's instruction in one or in a combination of several fund options. Participants may change their investment election or initiate transfers between funds on a monthly basis by giving notice to the Plan administrator.

        Plan Termination.    Although it has not expressed any intent to do so, the Company's Board of Directors has the right to discontinue its contributions at any time and to terminate the Plan subject to the provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act. In the event of Plan termination, participants will become 100% vested in their respective accounts.

        Participant Notes Receivable.    Participants may borrow from their fund accounts a minimum of $1,000 up to a maximum equal to the lesser of $50,000 or 50 percent of their account balance. Loan transactions are treated as a transfer to (from) the investment fund from (to) the Participant Loan

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Fund. Loan terms range from 1-5 years or up to 15 years for the purchase of a primary residence. The loans are secured by the balance in the participant's account and bear interest at a rate commensurate with local prevailing rates as determined by the Trustee. Interest rates range from 4.25% to 10.5% as of December 31, 2002. Principal and interest is paid ratably through payroll deductions.

2.     SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

        Basis of Accounting.    The Plan's financial statements are prepared under the accrual method of accounting.

        Use of Estimates.    The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets available for benefits and changes therein. Actual results could differ from these estimates. The Plan utilizes various investment instruments. Investment securities, in general, are exposed to various risks, such as interest rate, credit, and overall market volatility. Due to the level of risk associated with certain investment securities, it is reasonably possible that changes in the values of investment securities will occur in the near term and that such changes could materially affect the amounts reported in the statements of net assets available for plan benefits.

        Valuation of Investments.    The Plan's investments are stated at fair value. Quoted market prices are used to value investments. Purchases and sales of securities are recorded on a trade-date basis. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis. Dividends are recorded on the ex-dividend date.

        Expenses.    The participants of all funds are charged with expenses in connection with the purchase and sale of shares in each respective fund. In July 2001, the participants in the plan began being charged a per-participant administrative fee. Participants paid $334,942 and $167,577 in administrative costs to Scudder in 2002 and 2001, respectively. All other expenses incurred in the administration of the Plan are borne by the Company. The Company paid $185,260 and $105,313 for Plan expenses in 2002 and 2001, respectively.

        Payment of Benefits.    Benefits are recorded when paid.

3.     TAX STATUS

        The Plan received a determination letter dated January 27, 2003, in which the IRS stated that the Plan was in compliance with the applicable requirements of Section 401(a) and Section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code ("the Code").

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4.     INVESTMENTS

        Investments that represent five percent or more of the net assets available for benefits as of December 31, 2002 and 2001 are as follows:

5.     SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

        The Plan was amended on January 1, 2003 so that effective May 12, 2003, a reporting person, defined as (a) a director, (b) the direct or indirect beneficial owner of more than 10% of any class of any equity security of the Employer which is registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or (c) certain officers who have been so designated registrant affiliate of the Employer, who is required to file a statement with the SEC pursuant to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, must have (i) any portion of their account invested in the Company Stock Fund liquidated and the proceeds invested in the investment options available to the Plan in accordance with their investment elections, and (ii) no portion of their account invested in the Company Stock Fund.

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COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC. 401(k) PLAN

SCHEDULE OF ASSETS (HELD AT END OF YEAR)
DECEMBER 31, 2002

		Identity of Issue, Borrower, Lessor or Similar Party		Description of Investment Including Maturity Date, Rate of Interest, Collateral, Par or Maturity Value		Current Value
*		Scudder Investments		Scudder Stable Value II		$	14,247,975
*		Scudder Investments		Scudder Income-A			8,010,780
*		Scudder Investments		Scudder Pathway Conservative-A			547,111
*		Scudder Investments		Scudder Pathway Growth-A			707,721
*		Scudder Investments		Scudder Pathway Moderate-A			867,796
*		Scudder Investments		Scudder Total Return-A			13,124,778
*		Community Health Systems, Inc. (CHS)		CHS Company Stock Fund			5,928,244
		Franklin Templeton		Franklin Sm-Mid Cap Growth-A			1,748,557
		Invesco		Invesco Dynamics Fund			1,853,435
		Janus		Janus Worldwide Fund			3,479,437
*		Scudder Investments		Scudder Blue Chip-A			2,923,972
*		Scudder Investments		Scudder Contrarian-A			7,741,616
*		Scudder Investments		Scudder Dreman High Rtn Eqty-A			2,699,738
*		Scudder Investments		Scudder Global Discovery-A			2,370,692
*		Scudder Investments		Scudder Stock Index Fund			11,517,210
*		Scudder Investments		Scudder Technology-A			3,070,301
				Participant notes receivable with interest rates ranging from 4.25% to 10.5% and maturities ranging from January 1, 2003 to August 29, 2014.			2,093,309
						$	82,932,672

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Identified party-in-interest

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SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the trustees (or other persons who administer the employee benefit plan) have duly caused this annual report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

		COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC. 401(k)
Date: June 27, 2003		By:	/s/  WAYNE T. SMITH       Wayne T. Smith Chairman of the Board President and Chief Executive Officer
Date: June 27, 2003		By:	/s/  W. LARRY CASH       W. Larry Cash Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Date: June 27, 2003		By:	/s/  T. MARK BUFORD       T. Mark Buford Vice President and Corporate Controller

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EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit Number		Description
23		Independent Auditors' Consent
99.1		Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, Adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
99.2		Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, Adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

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COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC. 401(k) PLAN
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC. 401(k) PLAN
STATEMENTS OF NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS DECEMBER 31, 2002 AND 2001
COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC. 401(k) PLAN
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2002 AND 2001
COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC. 401(k) PLAN
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2002 AND 2001
COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC. 401(k) PLAN
SCHEDULE OF ASSETS (HELD AT END OF YEAR) DECEMBER 31, 2002
SIGNATURES
EXHIBIT INDEX

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EXHIBIT 23

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT

        We consent to the incorporation by reference in Registration Statement Nos. 333-100349, 333-61614 and 333-44870 of Community Health Systems, Inc. on Form S-8 of our report dated June 13, 2003, appearing in this Annual Report on Form 11-K of Community Health Systems, Inc. 401(k) Plan for the year ended December 31, 2002.

/s/  DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Nashville, Tennessee June 27, 2003

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INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT

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Exhibit Number 99.1

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

        In connection with the Annual Report of Community Health Systems, Inc. 401(k) Plan (the "Plan") on Form 11-K for the period ended December 31, 2002, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), I, Wayne T. Smith, Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

(1)

The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and



(2)

The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and result of operations of the Company.

/s/  WAYNE T. SMITH       Wayne T. Smith Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer

June 27, 2003

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to Community Health Systems, Inc. and will be retained by Community Health Systems, Inc. and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

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CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

Exhibit Number 99.2

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

        In connection with the Annual Report of Community Health Systems, Inc. (401(k) Plan (the "Plan") on Form 11-K for the period ended December 31, 2002, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), I, W. Larry Cash, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

(1)

The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and



(2)

The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and result of operations of the Company.

/s/  W. LARRY CASH       W. Larry Cash Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

June 27, 2003

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to Community Health Systems, Inc. and will be retained by Community Health Systems, Inc. and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

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