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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001247285-03-000008.txt : 20031021
<SEC-HEADER>0001247285-03-000008.hdr.sgml : 20031021
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20031021160649
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001247285-03-000008
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20031021
FILED AS OF DATE:		20031021

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CONSOLIDATED PRESS INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LTD
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001260786
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			C5
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0630

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-26489
		FILM NUMBER:		03949933

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		54 PARK STREET 3RD FLOOR
		CITY:			SYSNEY
		STATE:			C3
		ZIP:			2000

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001084961
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SHORT-TERM BUSINESS CREDIT INSTITUTIONS [6153]
		IRS NUMBER:				481090909
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		5775 ROSECOE COURT
		CITY:			SAN DIEGO
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			92123
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8007590327

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		5775 ROSCOE COURT
		CITY:			SAN DIEGO
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			92123

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	MCM CAPITAL GROUP INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19990430

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	MIDLAND CORP OF KANSAS
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19990423
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>

<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2003-10-21</periodOfReport>


    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001084961</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>ECPG</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001260786</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>CONSOLIDATED PRESS INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LTD</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>54 PARK STREET 3RD FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SYDNEY</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>C3</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>NSW 2000</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription>AUSTRALIA</rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>

        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2003-10-21</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>303199</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>11</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>4920705</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>See note</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>

    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Underwriters' exercise of over allotment option pursuant to Underwriting Agreement, dated as of September 25, 2003.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Through a series of subsidiaries, Consolidated Press International Holdings Limited owns CP International Investments Ltd., the direct owner of Issuer's Common Stock.</footnote>
    </footnotes>


    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Michael Karagiannis</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2003-10-21</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>

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</TEXT>
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</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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