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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>0001104659-08-061721.txt : 20081002
<SEC-HEADER>0001104659-08-061721.hdr.sgml : 20081002
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20081002170248
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001104659-08-061721
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20080930
FILED AS OF DATE:		20081002
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20081002

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ABBOTT LABORATORIES
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000001800
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	PHARMACEUTICAL PREPARATIONS [2834]
		IRS NUMBER:				360698440
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			IL
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		100 ABBOTT PARK ROAD
		STREET 2:		D-322 AP6D
		CITY:			ABBOTT PARK
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60064-3500
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8479376100

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			SCOTT SAMUEL C III
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001202862

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-02189
		FILM NUMBER:		081104313

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7085512600

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		CORN PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL INC
		STREET 2:		5 WESTBROOK CORPORATE CENTER
		CITY:			WESTCHESTER
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60154
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>a4.xml
<DESCRIPTION>4
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2008-09-30</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000001800</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>ABBOTT LABORATORIES</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>ABT</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001202862</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>SCOTT SAMUEL C III</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>CORN PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>5 WESTBROOK CORPORATE CENTER</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>WESTCHESTER</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>IL</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>60154</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock equivalent units</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>0</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2008-09-30</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>442</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>57.58</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Shares</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>442</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>2672</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Director fees deferred and credited to a stock equivalent unit account and paid, in cash, generally at age 65 or upon retirement from the board.  The stock equivalent units earn the same return as if the fees were invested in Abbott stock.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Balance includes stock equivalent units acquired pursuant to a dividend reinvestment feature.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>John A. Berry, by power of attorney for Samuel C. Scott III</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-10-02</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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