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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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 eJstDStoeT2Svhku/9B6cA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001228821-06-000006.txt : 20060120
<SEC-HEADER>0001228821-06-000006.hdr.sgml : 20060120
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20060120173821
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001228821-06-000006
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20060120
FILED AS OF DATE:		20060120
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20060120

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CAMPAGNA PAUL
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001279624

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-13203
		FILM NUMBER:		06541684

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		457 BROADWAY
		STREET 2:		C/O LORAIN NATIONAL BANK
		CITY:			LORAIN
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			44052

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			LNB BANCORP INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000737210
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	STATE COMMERCIAL BANKS [6022]
		IRS NUMBER:				341406303
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			OH
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		457 BROADWAY
		CITY:			LORAIN
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			44052-1769
		BUSINESS PHONE:		800-860-1007
</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>2006-01-20</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000737210</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>LNB BANCORP INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>lnbb</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001279624</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>CAMPAGNA PAUL</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>457 BROADWAY</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>C/O LORAIN NATIONAL BANK</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>LORAIN</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>OH</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>44052</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Sr. V.P., Sr. Lending Officer</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Appreciation Rights</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>19</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2006-01-20</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>3500</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2016-01-20</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>3500</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>3500</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The stock appreciation right will become exercisable with respect to one-third of the right granted beginning Janaury 20, 2007, and as to a further one-third of the right granted on each of Janaury 20, 2008, and January 20, 2009.  Exercisability of the stock appreciation right accelerates on the occurrence of certain change in control events.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Paul A. Campagna</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2006-01-20</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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