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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>0001196596-03-000002.txt : 20031118
<SEC-HEADER>0001196596-03-000002.hdr.sgml : 20031118
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20031118121833
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001196596-03-000002
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20031114
FILED AS OF DATE:		20031118

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			HARMON GARY A
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001198225

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-02585
		FILM NUMBER:		031009880

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		P O BOX 12542
		CITY:			CALHOUN
		STATE:			GA
		ZIP:			30703-7010

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
</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>2003-11-14</periodOfReport>


    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001198225</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>HARMON GARY A</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>P O BOX 12542</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>CALHOUN</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>GA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>30703-7010</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Vice President and CFO</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>

        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock, $3 Par Value</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2003-11-14</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>F</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>37988</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>26428</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>

        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock, $3 Par Value</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2003-11-14</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>F</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>5041</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>21387</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>

    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">This transaction represents settlement of the Reporting Person's outstanding subscriptions under the Issuer's Stock Ownership Plan for designated senior executives.  The Reporting Person settled subscriptions covering a total of 45,714 shares, with an aggregate subscription price of $339,997.88, through the surrender to the Issuer of 37,988 shares of Common Stock, valued at the market price of $8.95 per share, and payment of $5.28 cash (resulting in the delivery of 7,726 shares of Common Stock.)</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Includes 3,136 shares allocated to the Reporting Person's account under the Issuer's 401(k) Plan.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">This transaction represents settlement of the Reporting Person's outstanding subscriptions under the Issuer's Core Leadership Team Stock Ownership Plan.  The Reporting Person settled subscriptions covering a total of 5,490 shares, with an aggregate subscription price of $45,121.21, through the surrender to the Issuer of 5,041 shares of Common Stock, valued at the market price of $8.95 per share, and payment of $4.26 cash (resulting in the delivery of 449 shares of Common Stock.)</footnote>
    </footnotes>


    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>John F. Henry, Jr. for Gary Harmon</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2003-11-18</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>

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