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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>0001020062-03-000007.txt : 20030804
<SEC-HEADER>0001020062-03-000007.hdr.sgml : 20030804
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030804191413
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001020062-03-000007
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030801
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030804

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			GATX CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000040211
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	TRANSPORTATION SERVICES [4700]
		IRS NUMBER:				361124040
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			NY
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		500 W MONROE  ST
		CITY:			CHICAGO
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60661
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3126216200

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	GENERAL AMERICAN TRANSPORTATION CORP
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19750722

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			FRETZ DEBORAH M
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001020062

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-02328
		FILM NUMBER:		03821904

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1801 MARKET STREET
		CITY:			PHILADELPHIA
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			19103
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2159773197

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1801 MARKET STREET
		CITY:			PHILADELPHIA
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			19103
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>doc4.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>
    <periodOfReport>2003-08-01</periodOfReport>
    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>
    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000040211</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>GATX CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>GMT</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001020062</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>FRETZ DEBORAH M</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>1801 MARKET STREET</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>PHILADELPHIA</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>PA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>19103</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>
  <nonDerivativeTable>
   <nonDerivativeTransaction>
      <securityTitle>
          <value>Common Stock</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <transactionDate>
          <value>2003-08-01</value>
      </transactionDate>
      <transactionCoding>
          <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
          <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
          <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
      </transactionCoding>
      <transactionTimeliness>
      <value />
      </transactionTimeliness>
      <transactionAmounts>
          <transactionShares>
              <value>640.74</value>
              <footnoteId id="F1" />
          </transactionShares>
          <transactionPricePerShare>
              <value>22.24</value>
          </transactionPricePerShare>
          <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
              <value>A</value>
          </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
      </transactionAmounts>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
          <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
              <value>9365.71</value>
              <footnoteId id="F2" />
          </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
          <directOrIndirectOwnership>
              <value>D</value>
          </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
   </nonDerivativeTransaction>
  </nonDerivativeTable>
  <derivativeTable>
  </derivativeTable>
<footnotes>
   <footnote id="F1">Includes that portion of the quarterly payment of the annual directors' fee (640.7374 shares) credited to an account established for each director under the GATX Directors' Phantom Stock Plan ("Phantom Stock Plan") which in each case will be settled in common stock upon the expiration of the director's service on the Board.</footnote>
   <footnote id="F2">Includes 165.6887 shares acquired pursuant to a dividend reinvestment feature of the GATX Phantom Stock Plan.</footnote>
</footnotes>
    <ownerSignature>
       <signatureName>Deborah M. Fretz</signatureName>
       <signatureDate>2003-08-01</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
    <ownerSignature>
       <signatureName>Lisa M. Ibarra, by Power of Attorney on behalf of Deborah M.</signatureName>
       <signatureDate>2003-08-01</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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