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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>0000711404-04-000050.txt : 20041027
<SEC-HEADER>0000711404-04-000050.hdr.sgml : 20041027
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20041027135208
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000711404-04-000050
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20041026
FILED AS OF DATE:		20041027
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20041027

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			KAUFMAN CAROL R
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001181958

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-08597
		FILM NUMBER:		041099004

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		6140 STONERIDGE MALL ROAD #590
		CITY:			PLEASANTON
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94503

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		6140 STANERIDGE MALL RES #590
		CITY:			PLEASSANTON
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94503

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			COOPER COMPANIES INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000711404
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	OPHTHALMIC GOODS [3851]
		IRS NUMBER:				942657368
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1031

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		6140 STONERIDGE MALL RD
		STREET 2:		STE 590
		CITY:			PLEASANTON
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94588
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9254603600

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	COOPERVISION INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19870701
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-10-26</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000711404</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>COOPER COMPANIES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>COO</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001181958</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>KAUFMAN CAROL R</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>6140 STONERIDGE MALL DR., SUITE 590</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>PLEASANTON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>94588</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Secretary, VP, &amp; CAO</officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>12666</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Options (Right to buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>68.66</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-10-26</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <deemedExecutionDate>
                <value>2004-10-26</value>
            </deemedExecutionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>36000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>68.66</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2014-10-25</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>36000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>36000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The option vests if the Company's stock price achieves certain targets within specified timeframes as follows: one-fourth shall vest if Fair Market Value of the Company's
stock achieves $76.90, but not earlier than 5/2/05; one-fourth shall vest if Fair Market Value of the Company's stock achieves $82.39, but not earlier than 5/1/06; one-fourth shall vest if the Fair Market Value of the Company's stock achieves $89.26 but not earlier than 5/1/07; and one-fourth shall vest if the Fair Market Value of the Company's stock achieves $96.12 but not earlier than 5/1/08.  All options not otherwise vesting pursuant to the above timetable shall become exercisable on October 25, 2009.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Carol R. Kaufman, Sharyl Proscia, or Wendy Stark</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-10-26</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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