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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001127602-09-014522.txt : 20090629
<SEC-HEADER>0001127602-09-014522.hdr.sgml : 20090629
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20090629181700
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001127602-09-014522
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20090626
FILED AS OF DATE:		20090629
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20090629

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Giltner Richard
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001460472

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-26301
		FILM NUMBER:		09917476

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O UNITED THERAPEUTICS CORPORTION
		STREET 2:		1735 CONNECTICUT AVE. NW
		CITY:			WASHINGTON
		STATE:			DC
		ZIP:			20009

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			UNITED THERAPEUTICS CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001082554
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	PHARMACEUTICAL PREPARATIONS [2834]
		IRS NUMBER:				521984749
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1110 SPRING ST
		CITY:			SILVER SPRING
		STATE:			MD
		ZIP:			20910
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3016089292

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1110 SPRING ST
		CITY:			SILVER SPRING
		STATE:			MD
		ZIP:			20910
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>form4.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2009-06-26</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001082554</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>UNITED THERAPEUTICS CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>UTHR</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001460472</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Giltner Richard</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>1110 SPRING ST.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SILVER SPRING</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MD</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>20910</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Options</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>82.28</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2009-06-26</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <deemedExecutionDate>
                <value>2009-06-26</value>
            </deemedExecutionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>15000</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>82.28</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2010-06-26</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2019-06-26</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>15000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>15000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Annual non-executive director stock option award for service on the Board of Directors, priced and issued each year on the date of the issuer's annual meeting of stockholders.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Paul A. Mahon under power of attorney</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2009-06-29</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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