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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 RYDIAAMP1PltLt/RTVJvqxqkFpCafppaf5KAn1AIBZX0c4oma4D1yHUAcxBgQsmb
 XDMCyVvsMIiBlk4ozVb2PA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001209191-03-009619.txt : 20030702
<SEC-HEADER>0001209191-03-009619.hdr.sgml : 20030702
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030701181501
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001209191-03-009619
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030630
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030702

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			KOELLNER LAURETTE T
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001182054

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-03344
		FILM NUMBER:		03769145

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		BOEING CO
		STREET 2:		2201 SEAL BEACH BLVD M/C WSA-13
		CITY:			SEAL BEACH
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			90740
		BUSINESS PHONE:		5627975630

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			LEE SARA CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000023666
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	FOOD & KINDRED PRODUCTS [2000]
		IRS NUMBER:				362089049
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			MD
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0630

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		THREE FIRST NATIONAL PLZ
		STREET 2:		STE 4600
		CITY:			CHICAGO
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60602
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3127262600

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		THREE FIRST NATL PLZ
		STREET 2:		SUITE 4600
		CITY:			CHICAGO
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60602

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	CONSOLIDATED FOODS CORP
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19850402

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	CONSOLIDATED GROCERD CORP
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19731220
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>doc4.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4 SUBMISSION
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?><ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0101</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType><periodOfReport>2003-06-30</periodOfReport>
    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000023666</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>LEE SARA CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>SLE</issuerTradingSymbol></issuer><reportingOwner><reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001182054</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>KOELLNER LAURETTE T</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>  </rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>  </rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>  </rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>  </rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>  </rptOwnerZipCode>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
<isDirector>1</isDirector><isOfficer>0</isOfficer><isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner><isOther>0</isOther><officerTitle></officerTitle><otherText></otherText></reportingOwnerRelationship></reportingOwner><nonDerivativeSecurity><securityTitle><value>common stock</value></securityTitle><transactionDate><value>2003-06-30</value></transactionDate><transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType><transactionCode>A</transactionCode><equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved></transactionCoding><transactionTimeliness><value></value></transactionTimeliness><transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>4019</value><footnoteId id="F1" /></transactionShares><transactionValue><value>18.66</value></transactionValue><transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>A</value></transactionAcquiredDisposedCode></transactionAmounts><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>5629</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</v
alue></directOrIndirectOwnership></ownershipNature></nonDerivativeSecurity><derivativeSecurity><securityTitle><value>phantom stock</value></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><value>0</value><footnoteId id="F2" /></conversionOrExercisePrice><transactionDate><value>2003-06-30</value></transactionDate><transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType><transactionCode>A</transactionCode><equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved></transactionCoding><transactionTimeliness><value></value></transactionTimeliness><transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>211.076</value><footnoteId id="F3" /></transactionShares><transactionValue><value>18.66</value></transactionValue><transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>A</value></transactionAcquiredDisposedCode></transactionAmounts><exerciseDate><value>1988-08-08</value><footnoteId id="F4" /></exerciseDate><expirationDate><value>1988-08-08</value></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>common stock</value></underlyingSecurityTit
le><underlyingSecurityShares><value>211.076</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>421.656</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeSecurity><footnotes><footnote id="F1">Award of restricted stock units that may be settled only for shares of common stock on a one-for-one basis.  Restricted stock units were granted for services as a director for fiscal year 2004 and vest in full on June 30, 2006.</footnote><footnote id="F2">The phantom stock units will convert into shares of Sara Lee common stock on a one-for-one basis.</footnote><footnote id="F3">Represents directors fees deferred and dividend reinvestment credits accrued in the reporting person's account in the Sara Lee Corporation Non-Employee Director Deferred Compensation Program.  Share units were acquired on June 30, 2003 at a price o
f $18.66 per share and may be settled only for shares of Sara Lee common stock on a one-for-one basis.</footnote><footnote id="F4">Reporting person will receive shares of Sara Lee common stock, on a one-for-one basis, at a future date or dates specified by the reporting person. </footnote></footnotes><ownerSignature><signatureName>/s/ Helen N. Kaminski
For Laurette T. Koellner pursuant to power of attorney previously filed.</signatureName><signatureDate>2003-07-01</signatureDate></ownerSignature></ownershipDocument>

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