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): February 18, 2004


                          JOHN Q. HAMMONS HOTELS, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


                   DELAWARE                                43-1695093
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation             (IRS Employer
               or organization)                        Identification No.)

                           300 JOHN Q. HAMMONS PARKWAY
                                    SUITE 900
                              SPRINGFIELD, MO 65806
                    (Address of principal executive offices)



                                 (417) 864-4300
              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)


                                 NOT APPLICABLE
          (Former name or former address, if changed since last report)






ITEM 7. EXHIBITS.

        Exhibit No.                            Exhibit

           99.1            Press Release Dated February 18, 2004, issued by John
                           Q. Hammons Hotels, Inc.



ITEM 12. RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION.

Attached as Exhibit 99.1, and incorporated herein by reference, is a copy of the
registrant's fourth quarter and year-end 2003 earnings press release dated
February 18, 2004.


                                       2


                                    SIGNATURE

         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.

                                    JOHN Q. HAMMONS HOTELS, INC.


                                    By: /s/ Paul E. Muellner
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                        Name:  Paul E. Muellner
                                        Title: Chief Financial Officer


Date: February 18, 2004



                                       3



                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

<Table>
<Caption>
Exhibit No.                                Exhibit
- -----------                                -------
               

   99.1           Press Release Dated February 18, 2004 issued by John Q.
                  Hammons Hotels, Inc.
</Table>




                                       4