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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 BloLmeBGyXeDgcpkq+QzoZLp2oahwrBY/V4y7n0xxVR8X1mWMvbolxyBm4pGMNbL
 xKSQTOpGkOqwD5Fy5msr+Q==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000029534-04-000109.txt : 20041013
<SEC-HEADER>0000029534-04-000109.hdr.sgml : 20041013
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20041013103916
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000029534-04-000109
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20041008
FILED AS OF DATE:		20041013
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20041013

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			JACKSON LAWRENCE V
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001204543

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-11421
		FILM NUMBER:		041076272

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		5918 STONERIDGE MALL ROAD
		CITY:			PLEASANTON
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94588-3229

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			DOLLAR GENERAL CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000029534
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	RETAIL-VARIETY STORES [5331]
		IRS NUMBER:				610502302
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			TN
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0131

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		100 MISSION RIDGE
		CITY:			GOODLETTSVILLE
		STATE:			TN
		ZIP:			37072
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6158554000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		100 MISSION RIDGE
		CITY:			GOODLETTSVILLE
		STATE:			TN
		ZIP:			37072

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	TURNER CAL
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19710401

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	TURNER J L & SON INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19710401
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-10-08</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>1</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000029534</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>DOLLAR GENERAL CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>DG</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001204543</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>JACKSON LAWRENCE V</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>1211 CHICKERING ROAD</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NASHVILLE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>TN</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>37215</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>President and COO</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-10-08</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>D</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>16000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>15884</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Pursuant to the terms of a restricted stock grant made by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Issuer on September 30, 2003, the reporting person is forfeiting the unvested portion of such restricted stock upon his resignation from the Company.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Lawrence V. Jackson</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-10-13</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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