-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 BVXP0lIpMRrKchV4zlkU0IRCm3YIujX1JAJTCQ9/QbEFPCTrZV5FS9uM9yfcwR5G
 zfFELyHoGc/xfU5jU6RyGw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000713095-08-000046.txt : 20080929
<SEC-HEADER>0000713095-08-000046.hdr.sgml : 20080929
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20080929110533
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000713095-08-000046
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20080926
FILED AS OF DATE:		20080929
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20080929

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			SWEENEY SHELLEY S
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001237359

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-14412
		FILM NUMBER:		081092832

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		POST OFFICE BOX 309
		CITY:			FRANKFORT
		STATE:			KY
		ZIP:			40602-0309

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			FARMERS CAPITAL BANK CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000713095
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	NATIONAL COMMERCIAL BANKS [6021]
		IRS NUMBER:				611017851
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			KY
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		PO BOX 309
		STREET 2:		202 W MAIN ST
		CITY:			FRANKFORT
		STATE:			KY
		ZIP:			40602
		BUSINESS PHONE:		5022271668

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		P O BOX 309
		STREET 2:		202 WEST MAIN STREET
		CITY:			FRANKFORT
		STATE:			KY
		ZIP:			40602
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2008-09-26</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000713095</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>FARMERS CAPITAL BANK CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>FFKT</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001237359</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>SWEENEY SHELLEY S</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>POST OFFICE BOX 309</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>FRANKFORT</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>KY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>40602-0309</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 .125 par value</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2008-09-26</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>2247</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>29.85</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>184375</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Mark A. Hampton, Attorney in Fact by POA dated 1/23/06</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-09-29</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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