Exhibit 99.4

        Beverly EBITDA from Continuing Operations in 2004 Expected to be
                          $160 Million to $170 Million


    FORT SMITH, Ark.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 4, 2004--Beverly
Enterprises, Inc. (NYSE: BEV) today disclosed its expectation for
earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization
(EBITDA) in 2004. In a presentation to investors at the Lehman
Brothers Global Healthcare Conference, William R. Floyd, Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer, said that the company expected EBITDA from
Continuing Operations in 2004 to total between $160 million and $170
million. This compares to EBITDA from Continuing Operations in 2003 -
net of results from divestitures under consideration in 2004 - of $143
million.
    Floyd's presentation and related materials are being filed today
with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form 8-K, in accordance
with Fair Disclosure requirements.
    This release is intended to be disclosure through methods
reasonably designed to provide broad, non-exclusionary distribution to
the public in compliance with the Securities and Exchange Commission's
Fair Disclosure Regulation. This release may contain forward-looking
statements, including statements related to performance in 2004 and
beyond, made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements
involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause the
company's actual results in future periods to differ materially from
forecasted results. These risks and uncertainties include: national
and local economic conditions, including their effect on the
availability and cost of labor, utilities and materials; the effect of
government regulations and changes in regulations governing the
healthcare industry, including the company's compliance with such
regulations; changes in Medicare and Medicaid payment levels and
methodologies and the application of such methodologies by the
government and its fiscal intermediaries; the effects of adopting new
accounting standards; liabilities and other claims asserted against
the company, including patient care liabilities, as well as the
resolution of lawsuits brought about by the announcement or settlement
of government investigations and increases in the reserves for patient
care liabilities; the ability to predict future reserves related to
patient care and workers' compensation liabilities; the ability to
replace or refinance debt obligations; the ability to reduce overhead
costs, obtain pricing concessions from suppliers, improve the
effectiveness of our fundamental business processes and develop new
sources of profitable revenues; the ability to increase cash flows
from continuing operations; the ability to execute our strategic
growth initiatives and implement our strategy to divest certain of our
nursing facilities in a timely manner at fair value; the ability to
attract and retain qualified personnel; the availability and terms of
capital to fund acquisitions, capital improvements and on-going
operations; the competitive environment in which the company operates;
the ability to repurchase our stock and changes in the stock price
after any such repurchases; the ability to maintain and increase
census levels; and demographic changes. These and other risks and
uncertainties that could affect future results are addressed in the
company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
including Forms 10-K and 10-Q.
    Beverly Enterprises, Inc. and its operating subsidiaries are
leading providers of healthcare services to the elderly in the United
States. At year-end 2003 they operated 372 skilled nursing facilities,
as well as 20 assisted living centers, and 23 hospice and home care
centers. Through AEGIS Therapies, they also offer rehabilitative
services on a contract basis to nursing facilities operated by other
care providers.

    CONTACT: Beverly Enterprises Inc.
             Investor Contact:
             James M. Griffith, 479-201-5514
             or
             News Media Contact:
             Blair C. Jackson, 479-201-5263
             www.beverlycares.com