-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 RxpoUqpICQ/UM91gk/3Rgg==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001002106-04-000001.txt : 20040209
<SEC-HEADER>0001002106-04-000001.hdr.sgml : 20040209
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040209193534
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001002106-04-000001
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040106
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040209

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			DIAGNOSTIC PRODUCTS CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000702259
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	IN VITRO & IN VIVO DIAGNOSTIC SUBSTANCES [2835]
		IRS NUMBER:				952802182
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			CA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		5700 W 96TH ST
		CITY:			LOS ANGELES
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			90045
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3106458200

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ZIERING MARILYN
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001002106

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-09957
		FILM NUMBER:		04579301

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		5700 W 96TH STREET
		STREET 2:		C/O DIAGNOSTIC PRODUCTS CORP
		CITY:			LOS ANGELES
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			90045
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2137760180

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		5700 W 96TH STREET
		STREET 2:		C/O DIAGNOSTIC PRODUCTS CORP
		CITY:			LOS ANGELES
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			90045
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-01-06</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000702259</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>DIAGNOSTIC PRODUCTS CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>DP</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001002106</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>ZIERING MARILYN</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>5700 W 96TH STREET</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>C/O DIAGNOSTIC PRODUCTS CORP</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>LOS ANGELES</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>90045</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Senior Vice President</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-01-06</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>G</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>3055</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>4763117</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>By Trust</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">3,956 shares, Indirect, By 401k
4,886 shares, Indirect, By 401k of deceased husband</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">By Trust, as trustee and beneficiary of revocable trust per Rule 16G8(b).  The Trust transactions are reported by reporting person instead of Trust.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Marilyn Ziering</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-02-09</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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