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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 MmJuwuJ2Nn816aS/LQqqQ4dsNh2UCF4wchJsmL74lMifPYe9XODW0eOAUcZeXTSm
 BYyJx0ovCjp+1bTqUemwvA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001019695-10-000001.txt : 20100119
<SEC-HEADER>0001019695-10-000001.hdr.sgml : 20100118
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20100119095835
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001019695-10-000001
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20100117
FILED AS OF DATE:		20100119
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20100119

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Weiskopf Robert J
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001288651

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-21429
		FILM NUMBER:		10532113

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O AWARE, INC.
		STREET 2:		40 MIDDLESEX TURNPIKE
		CITY:			BEDFORD
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			01730

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ARQULE INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001019695
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	PHARMACEUTICAL PREPARATIONS [2834]
		IRS NUMBER:				043221586
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		19 PRESIDENTIAL WAY
		CITY:			WOBURN
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			01801
		BUSINESS PHONE:		781-994-0300

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		19 PRESIDENTIAL WAY
		CITY:			WOBURN
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			01801
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2010-01-17</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001019695</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>ARQULE INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>ARQL</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001288651</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Weiskopf Robert J</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O ARQULE, INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>19 PRESIDENTIAL WAY</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>WOBURN</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>01801</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Vice President of Finance</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2010-01-17</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>F</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>356</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>3.56</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>19038</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Robert J. Connaughton, Jr. By Power of Attorney for Robert J. Weiskopf</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2010-01-19</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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