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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 EV1qM3RKLpvGeBX4Tih4l9PeVysc05tT4YzKPzBOCYBPnF+HNn36+MRmu6/S6Vew
 i02VVgc89g0FGu4IvZjbzw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001209191-03-009816.txt : 20030702
<SEC-HEADER>0001209191-03-009816.hdr.sgml : 20030702
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030702115413
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001209191-03-009816
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030630
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030702

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MARSH SUPERMARKETS INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000062737
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	RETAIL-GROCERY STORES [5411]
		IRS NUMBER:				350918179
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			IN
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0329

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		9800 CROSSPOINT BLVD
		CITY:			INDIANAPOLIS
		STATE:			IN
		ZIP:			46256
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3175942100

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			DOUGHERTY DOUGLAS W
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001191339

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-01532
		FILM NUMBER:		03770362

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		9800 CROSSPOINT BLVD
		CITY:			INDIANAPOLIS
		STATE:			IN
		ZIP:			46256
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3175942345
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>doc4.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4 SUBMISSION
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?><ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0101</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType><periodOfReport>2003-06-30</periodOfReport>
    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000062737</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>MARSH SUPERMARKETS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>MARSAB</issuerTradingSymbol></issuer><reportingOwner><reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001191339</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>DOUGHERTY DOUGLAS W</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>  </rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>  </rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>  </rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>  </rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>  </rptOwnerZipCode>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
<isDirector>0</isDirector><isOfficer>1</isOfficer><isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner><isOther>0</isOther><officerTitle>Sr. VP, CFO &amp; Treasurer</officerTitle><otherText></otherText></reportingOwnerRelationship></reportingOwner><derivativeSecurity><securityTitle><value>Phantom Stock</value></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><value>0</value><footnoteId id="F1" /></conversionOrExercisePrice><transactionDate><value>2003-06-30</value></transactionDate><transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType><transactionCode>A</transactionCode><equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved></transactionCoding><transactionTimeliness><value></value></transactionTimeliness><transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>14.1</value></transactionShares><transactionValue><value>0</value><footnoteId id="F3" /></transactionValue><transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>A</value></transactionAcquiredDisposedCode></transactionAmounts><exerciseDate><value>1988-08-08</value><footnoteId id="F2" /></exerciseDate>
<expirationDate><value>1988-08-08</value><footnoteId id="F2" /></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Class A Common Stock</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>18.7</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>1342</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeSecurity><footnotes><footnote id="F1">Shares of phantom stock are payable only in cash upon termination of employment.</footnote><footnote id="F2">Immediately upon termination.</footnote><footnote id="F3">Acquired pursuant to the Marsh Deferred Compensation Plan at calendar quarter end per share closing price of $12.21.</footnote></footnotes><ownerSignature><signatureName>By:  P. LAwrence Butt
For: Douglas W. Dougherty</signatureName><signatureDate>2003-07-02</signatureDate></ownerSignature></ownershipDocument>

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