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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>0001104659-04-000133.txt : 20040105
<SEC-HEADER>0001104659-04-000133.hdr.sgml : 20040105
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040105183210
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001104659-04-000133
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20031231
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040105

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			COOK J MICHAEL
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001168017

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-03433
		FILM NUMBER:		04506955

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		295 MAPLE AVE
		CITY:			BASKING RIDGE
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			07920
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9082217020

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			DOW CHEMICAL CO /DE/
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000029915
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	PLASTICS, MATERIALS, SYNTH RESINS & NONVULCAN ELASTOMERS [2821]
		IRS NUMBER:				381285128
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2030 DOW CENTER
		CITY:			MIDLAND
		STATE:			MI
		ZIP:			48674-2030
		BUSINESS PHONE:		5176361000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2030 DOW CENTER
		CITY:			MIDLAND
		STATE:			MI
		ZIP:			48674-2030
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>a4.xml
<DESCRIPTION>4
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>
  <periodOfReport>2003-12-31</periodOfReport>
  <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>
    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000029915</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>DOW CHEMICAL CO /DE/</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>DOW</issuerTradingSymbol>
  </issuer>
  <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001168017</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>COOK J MICHAEL</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>2030 DOW CENTER</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>MIDLAND</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MI</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>48674</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
      <isDirector>1</isDirector>
      <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
      <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
      <isOther>0</isOther>
    </reportingOwnerRelationship>
  </reportingOwner>
  <derivativeTable>
    <derivativeTransaction>
      <securityTitle>
        <value>Phantom Stock Units</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <conversionOrExercisePrice>
        <value>0</value>
      </conversionOrExercisePrice>
      <transactionDate>
        <value>2003-12-31</value>
      </transactionDate>
      <transactionCoding>
        <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
        <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
        <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
      </transactionCoding>
      <transactionTimeliness>
        <value></value>
      </transactionTimeliness>
      <transactionAmounts>
        <transactionShares>
          <value>428.806</value>
        </transactionShares>
        <transactionPricePerShare>
          <value>41.394</value>
        </transactionPricePerShare>
        <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
          <value>A</value>
        </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
      </transactionAmounts>
      <exerciseDate>
        <footnoteId id="F1"/>
      </exerciseDate>
      <expirationDate>
        <footnoteId id="F1"/>
      </expirationDate>
      <underlyingSecurity>
        <underlyingSecurityTitle>
          <value>Common Stock</value>
        </underlyingSecurityTitle>
        <underlyingSecurityShares>
          <value>428.806</value>
        </underlyingSecurityShares>
      </underlyingSecurity>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
        <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
          <value>8603.934</value>
          <footnoteId id="F2"/>
        </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
        <directOrIndirectOwnership>
          <value>D</value>
        </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
    </derivativeTransaction>
  </derivativeTable>
  <footnotes>
    <footnote id="F1">The phantom stock units were accrued under the Voluntary Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors of The Dow Chemical Company, a Rule 16b-3 exempt plan, and are to be settled entirely in cash in 5 annual installments beginning on July 15 following termination of Board service.</footnote>
    <footnote id="F2">This figure includes prior unreported adjustments for quarterly dividend reinvestments, participant fees, and other account reconciliations by the Plan's Recordkeeper, pursuant to Rule 16a-11.</footnote>
  </footnotes>
  <ownerSignature>
    <signatureName>J. Michael Cook</signatureName>
    <signatureDate>2004-01-05</signatureDate>
  </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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