-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 PzR2hZR1EOlXx+qt8ry52+/7pFW/ldxNVvHEIPtLnyEdGscYgztlPxbz5z5rbnkD
 Vf0G3dZejY2+h0JuQVq87Q==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001140361-03-001716.txt : 20030527
<SEC-HEADER>0001140361-03-001716.hdr.sgml : 20030526
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030523200358
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001140361-03-001716
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20020523
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030527

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			PPM AMERICA INC/IL
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000898417

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-02788
		FILM NUMBER:		03718980

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		225 W WACKER DR
		STREET 2:		STE 1200
		CITY:			CHICAGO
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60606
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3126342500

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		225 W WACKER DR
		STREET 2:		SUITE 1200
		CITY:			CHICAGO
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60606

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ELDER BEERMAN STORES CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000032020
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	RETAIL-DEPARTMENT STORES [5311]
		IRS NUMBER:				310271980
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			OH
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0201

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		3155 ELBEE RD
		CITY:			DAYTON
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			45439
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9372962700

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		3155 EL BEE ROAD
		CITY:			DAYTON
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			45439

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	ELDER & JOHNSTON CO
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19670823
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>doc1.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0101</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>
<periodOfReport>2002-05-23</periodOfReport>
<notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>
    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000032020</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>ELDER BEERMAN STORES CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>EBSC</issuerTradingSymbol>
</issuer>
<reportingOwner>
<reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0000898417</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>PPM AMERICA INC/IL</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>  </rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>  </rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>  </rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>  </rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>  </rptOwnerZipCode>
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            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
<isDirector>0</isDirector>
<isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
<isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
<isOther>1</isOther>
<officerTitle></officerTitle>
<otherText>Member of Section 13(d) Group</otherText>
</reportingOwnerRelationship>
</reportingOwner>
<nonDerivativeSecurity>
<securityTitle>
<value>Common stock, no par value per share</value>
<footnoteId id="F1"/>
</securityTitle>
<transactionDate>
<value>2003-05-16</value>
</transactionDate>
<transactionCoding>
<transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
<transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
<equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
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<transactionTimeliness>
<value></value>
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<transactionAmounts>
<transactionShares>
<value>38812</value>
<footnoteId id="F2"/>
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<transactionValue>
<value>4.883</value>
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<transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
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<sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
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</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
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<ownershipNature>
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</nonDerivativeSecurity>
<nonDerivativeSecurity>
<securityTitle>
<value>Common stock, no par value per share</value>
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<transactionDate>
<value>2003-05-19</value>
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<sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
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</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
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<ownershipNature>
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</nonDerivativeSecurity>
<nonDerivativeSecurity>
<securityTitle>
<value>Common stock, no par value per share</value>
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<transactionDate>
<value>2003-05-19</value>
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<transactionCoding>
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<transactionTimeliness>
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<transactionValue>
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<transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
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<sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
<value>709818</value>
</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
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<ownershipNature>
<directOrIndirectOwnership>
<value>D</value>
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<natureOfOwnership>
<value></value>
</natureOfOwnership>
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</nonDerivativeSecurity>
<nonDerivativeSecurity>
<securityTitle>
<value>Common stock, no par value per share</value>
</securityTitle>
<transactionDate>
<value>2003-05-20</value>
</transactionDate>
<transactionCoding>
<transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
<transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
<equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
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<transactionTimeliness>
<value></value>
</transactionTimeliness>
<transactionAmounts>
<transactionShares>
<value>626</value>
<footnoteId id="F6"/>
</transactionShares>
<transactionValue>
<value>4.75</value>
</transactionValue>
<transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
<value>D</value>
</transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
</transactionAmounts>
<postTransactionAmounts>
<sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
<value>1187424</value>
</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
</postTransactionAmounts>
<ownershipNature>
<directOrIndirectOwnership>
<value>D</value>
</directOrIndirectOwnership>
<natureOfOwnership>
<value></value>
</natureOfOwnership>
</ownershipNature>
</nonDerivativeSecurity>
<nonDerivativeSecurity>
<securityTitle>
<value>Common stock, no par value per share</value>
</securityTitle>
<transactionDate>
<value>2003-05-20</value>
</transactionDate>
<transactionCoding>
<transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
<transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
<equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
</transactionCoding>
<transactionTimeliness>
<value></value>
</transactionTimeliness>
<transactionAmounts>
<transactionShares>
<value>374</value>
<footnoteId id="F7"/>
</transactionShares>
<transactionValue>
<value>4.75</value>
</transactionValue>
<transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
<value>D</value>
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<postTransactionAmounts>
<sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
<value>709444</value>
</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
</postTransactionAmounts>
<ownershipNature>
<directOrIndirectOwnership>
<value>D</value>
</directOrIndirectOwnership>
<natureOfOwnership>
<value></value>
</natureOfOwnership>
</ownershipNature>
</nonDerivativeSecurity>
<nonDerivativeSecurity>
<securityTitle>
<value>Common stock, no par value per share</value>
</securityTitle>
<transactionDate>
<value>2003-05-21</value>
</transactionDate>
<transactionCoding>
<transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
<transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
<equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
</transactionCoding>
<transactionTimeliness>
<value></value>
</transactionTimeliness>
<transactionAmounts>
<transactionShares>
<value>10955</value>
<footnoteId id="F8"/>
</transactionShares>
<transactionValue>
<value>4.7555</value>
</transactionValue>
<transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
<value>D</value>
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<sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
<value>1176469</value>
</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
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<ownershipNature>
<directOrIndirectOwnership>
<value>D</value>
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<natureOfOwnership>
<value></value>
</natureOfOwnership>
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</nonDerivativeSecurity>
<nonDerivativeSecurity>
<securityTitle>
<value>Common stock, no par value per share</value>
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<transactionDate>
<value>2003-05-21</value>
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<transactionCoding>
<transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
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<equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
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<transactionTimeliness>
<value></value>
</transactionTimeliness>
<transactionAmounts>
<transactionShares>
<value>6545</value>
<footnoteId id="F9"/>
</transactionShares>
<transactionValue>
<value>4.7555</value>
</transactionValue>
<transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
<value>D</value>
</transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
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<sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
<value>702899</value>
</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
</postTransactionAmounts>
<ownershipNature>
<directOrIndirectOwnership>
<value>D</value>
</directOrIndirectOwnership>
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<value></value>
</natureOfOwnership>
</ownershipNature>
</nonDerivativeSecurity>
<nonDerivativeSecurity>
<securityTitle>
<value>Common stock, no par value per share</value>
</securityTitle>
<transactionDate>
<value>2003-05-22</value>
</transactionDate>
<transactionCoding>
<transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
<transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
<equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
</transactionCoding>
<transactionTimeliness>
<value></value>
</transactionTimeliness>
<transactionAmounts>
<transactionShares>
<value>47012</value>
<footnoteId id="F1"/>
<footnoteId id="F10"/>
</transactionShares>
<transactionValue>
<value>5.0026</value>
</transactionValue>
<transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
<value>D</value>
</transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
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<sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
<value>1129457</value>
</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
</postTransactionAmounts>
<ownershipNature>
<directOrIndirectOwnership>
<value>D</value>
</directOrIndirectOwnership>
<natureOfOwnership>
<value></value>
</natureOfOwnership>
</ownershipNature>
</nonDerivativeSecurity>
<nonDerivativeSecurity>
<securityTitle>
<value>Common stock, no par value per share</value>
</securityTitle>
<transactionDate>
<value>2003-05-22</value>
</transactionDate>
<transactionCoding>
<transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
<transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
<equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
</transactionCoding>
<transactionTimeliness>
<value></value>
</transactionTimeliness>
<transactionAmounts>
<transactionShares>
<value>28088</value>
<footnoteId id="F1"/>
<footnoteId id="F11"/>
</transactionShares>
<transactionValue>
<value>5.0026</value>
</transactionValue>
<transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
<value>D</value>
</transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
</transactionAmounts>
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<sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
<value>674811</value>
</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
</postTransactionAmounts>
<ownershipNature>
<directOrIndirectOwnership>
<value>D</value>
</directOrIndirectOwnership>
<natureOfOwnership>
<value></value>
</natureOfOwnership>
</ownershipNature>
</nonDerivativeSecurity>
<footnotes>
<footnote id="F1">PPM America, Inc. ("PPM America"), performs investment advisory services for clients.  PPM America serves as investment manager/advisor to each of PPM America Special Investments Fund, L.P. ("SIF I"), and PPM America Special Investments CBO II, L.P. ("CBO II").  Both SIF I and CBO II are investment funds.  PPM America Fund Management GP, Inc. ("SIF I GP"), serves as the general partner of SIF I.  PPM America CBO II Management Company ("CBO II GP") serves as the general partner of CBO II.  This Form 4 has been executed by Stuart J. Lissner in his capacity as:  (A) Managing Director of PPM America, Inc.; (B) Vice President of PPM America Fund Management GP, Inc., as Managing General Partner of PPM America Special Investments Fund, L.P.; (C) Vice President of PPM America Fund Management GP, Inc.; (D) Vice President of PPM MGP (Bermuda), Ltd., as Managing General Partner of PPM America CBO II Management Company, the General Partner of PPM America Special Investments CBO II, L.P.; and (E) Vice P
resident of PPM MGP (Bermuda), Ltd., as Managing General Partner of PPM America CBO II Management Company.  All of the securities covered by this report are owned legally by SIF I or CBO II, and none are owned directly or indirectly by PPM America, SIF I GP or CBO II GP.  PPM America, SIF I GP and CBO II GP disclaim beneficial ownership of any of the securities covered by this report, and this report shall not be deemed an admission that PPM America, SIF I GP or CBO II GP is the beneficial owner of the securities for the purposes of Section 16 or for any other purpose.</footnote>
<footnote id="F2">Transaction effected by  SIF I.</footnote>
<footnote id="F3">Transaction effected by  CBO II.</footnote>
<footnote id="F4">Transaction effected by  SIF I.</footnote>
<footnote id="F5">Transaction effected by  CBO II.</footnote>
<footnote id="F6">Transaction effected by  SIF I.</footnote>
<footnote id="F7">Transaction effected by  CBO II.</footnote>
<footnote id="F8">Transaction effected by  SIF I.</footnote>
<footnote id="F9">Transaction effected by  CBO II.</footnote>
<footnote id="F10">Transaction effected by  SIF I.</footnote>
<footnote id="F11">Transaction effected by  CBO II.</footnote>
</footnotes>
<ownerSignature>
<signatureName>Stuart J. Lissner (see footnote 1)</signatureName>
<signatureDate>2003-05-23</signatureDate>
</ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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</TEXT>
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</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----