This report presents period life tables for the United States based on age-specific death rates in 2003. Data used to prepare these life tables are 2003 final mortality statistics; July 1, 2003, population estimates based on the 2000 decennial census; and data from the Medicare program. Presented are complete life tables by age, race, and sex. In 2003, the overall expectation of life at birth was 77.5 years, representing an increase of 0.2 years from life expectancy in 2002. Between 2002 and 2003, life expectancy increased for males and females and for both the white and black populations. Life expectancy increased by 0.3 years (from 77.7 to 78.0) for the white population and by 0.4 years (from 72.3 to 72.7) for the black population. Both males and females in each race group experienced increases in life expectancy between 2002 and 2003. The greatest increase was experienced by black females with an increase of 0.5 years (from 75.6 to 76.1). Life expectancy increased by 0.2 years for black males (from 68.8 to 69.0), white males (from 75.1 to 75.3), and for white females (from 80.3 to 80.5).