-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 DqADX+Fs2WrRYP0rk9rDhMrxlwdPwu87BsbFlS9jB4ZSVRbFG6JNAOqT+jpjO8Vc
 RvBqOX9bw/9JKAP5do2pGw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001207137-04-000012.txt : 20040317
<SEC-HEADER>0001207137-04-000012.hdr.sgml : 20040317
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040317152321
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001207137-04-000012
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040317
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040317

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			TUCKER ARTHUR V JR
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001230978

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-08351
		FILM NUMBER:		04675404

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2600 CHEMED CENTER
		STREET 2:		255 E FIFTH ST
		CITY:			CINCINNATI
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			45202

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ROTO-ROOTER INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000019584
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SERVICES-MISCELLANEOUS REPAIR SERVICES [7600]
		IRS NUMBER:				310791746
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2600 CHEMED CTR
		STREET 2:		255 E FIFTH ST
		CITY:			CINCINNATI
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			45202
		BUSINESS PHONE:		5137626900

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2600 CHEMED CTR
		STREET 2:		255 E FIFTH STREET
		CITY:			CINCINNATI
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			45202

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	CHEMED CORP
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19920703
</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>2004-03-17</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000019584</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>ROTO-ROOTER INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>RRR</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001230978</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>TUCKER ARTHUR V JR</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>2600 CHEMED CENTER</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>255 E FIFTH ST</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>CINCINNATI</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>OH</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>45202</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Vice President &amp; Controller</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Capital Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-03-17</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>F</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>808</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>57.02</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>4432</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Capital Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>950</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>By Spouse</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Payment of tax obligation</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Includes certain shares issued 2/23/04 subject to restriction.  As of 3/5/04, restriction eliminated.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Arthur V. Tucker, Jr.</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-03-17</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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