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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>0001196587-03-000001.txt : 20031219
<SEC-HEADER>0001196587-03-000001.hdr.sgml : 20031219
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20031219155109
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001196587-03-000001
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20031218
FILED AS OF DATE:		20031219

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			DIXIE GROUP INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000029332
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	CARPETS AND RUGS [2273]
		IRS NUMBER:				620183370
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			TN
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1225

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		P O BOX 12542
		CITY:			CALHOUN
		STATE:			GA
		ZIP:			307037010
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7066257980

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		P O BOX 12542
		CITY:			CALHOUN
		STATE:			GA
		ZIP:			307037010

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	DIXIE YARNS INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19920703

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	DIXIE MERCERIZING CO
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19670524

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			DAVIS W DEREK
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001196587

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-02585
		FILM NUMBER:		031065224

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		736 MARKET ST
		STREET 2:		STE 1100
		CITY:			CHATTANOOGA
		STATE:			TN
		ZIP:			37402
		BUSINESS PHONE:		423 265 8881

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		185 S INDUSTRIAL BLVD
		CITY:			CALHOUND
		STATE:			GA
		ZIP:			30701
</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>2003-12-18</periodOfReport>


    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000029332</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>DIXIE GROUP INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>dxyn</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001196587</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>DAVIS W DEREK</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>185 S INDUSTRIAL BLVD</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>CALHOUND</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>GA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>30701</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>V.P. of Human Resources</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>

        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock, $3 Par Value</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2003-12-18</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>J</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>18174</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>28797</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>

    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Represents the cancellation by the Issuer of subscriptions by the Reporting Person for 18,174 shares under the Issuer's Stock Ownership Plan.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Includes 3,281 shares allocated to the Reporting Person's account under the Issuer's 401(k) Plan.  Also includes 20,000 shares for which the Reporting Person has subscribed, but has not yet purchased, under the Issuer's Stock Ownership Plan.</footnote>
    </footnotes>


    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>John F. Henry, Jr. for W. Derek Davis</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2003-12-19</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>

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