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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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 pjvNmXUB2xipxlw3LQFIFw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000006885-04-000041.txt : 20040607
<SEC-HEADER>0000006885-04-000041.hdr.sgml : 20040607
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040607182619
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000006885-04-000041
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040603
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040607

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			DAVIDO SCOTT J
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001053478
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	RETAIL-DEPARTMENT STORES [5311]
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			OH
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0201

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-14035
		FILM NUMBER:		04852633

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		3155 EL BEE ROAD
		CITY:			DAYTON
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			45439
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9372962700

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			STAGE STORES INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000006885
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	RETAIL-FAMILY CLOTHING STORES [5651]
		IRS NUMBER:				911826900
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			NV
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0130

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		10201 MAIN ST
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77025
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7136675601

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		10201 MAIN STREET
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77025

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	APPAREL RETAILERS INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19930908

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	TEXTILE DISTRIBUTORS INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19690521
</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>2004-06-03</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000006885</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>STAGE STORES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>STGS</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001053478</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>DAVIDO SCOTT J</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>10201 S MAIN ST.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>HOUSTON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>TX</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>77025</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Options (right to buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>37.5</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-06-03</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>2500</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2006-06-03</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2014-06-03</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>2500</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>20743</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Options for 2,500 shares were issued on June 3, 2004 with per share exercise price of $37.50. The term of this stock option is ten (10) years from the date of the grant of stock options (the &quot;Option Term&quot;). The stock options may not be exercised after the expiration of its Option Term (June 3, 2014). The stock options shall vest and become exercisable by Director according to the following: (1) 2 years from the date of grant (June 3, 2006), 50% of option may be exercised and (2) 4 years from the date of grant (June 3, 2008), 100% of the option may be exercised.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Includes all derivative securities currently owned by the reporting person including those previously reported.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Scott Davido</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-06-07</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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