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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 IMjFHE+//6FMhrn0i55pBVA5TBHjVM+a44lym0dbZhbhInKM/H6QAqR34NJYSxXb
 GY7xi426lgi7pqtkg3CKuw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001209191-03-011176.txt : 20030708
<SEC-HEADER>0001209191-03-011176.hdr.sgml : 20030708
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030708152044
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001209191-03-011176
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030708
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030708

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MCALLISTER FRANCIS R
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001095349
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-08944
		FILM NUMBER:		03778489

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O ASARCO INC
		STREET 2:		180 MAIDEN LANE
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10038
		BUSINESS PHONE:		4089875920

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CLEVELAND CLIFFS INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000764065
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	METAL MINING [1000]
		IRS NUMBER:				341464672
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			OH
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1100 SUPERIOR AVE 18TH FLR
		CITY:			CLEVELAND
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			44114
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2166945700

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		100 SUPERIOR AVE
		STREET 2:		18TH FLOOR
		CITY:			CLEVELAND
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			44114
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>doc4.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4 SUBMISSION
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?><ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0101</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType><periodOfReport>2003-07-08</periodOfReport><notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>
    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000764065</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>CLEVELAND CLIFFS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>CLF</issuerTradingSymbol></issuer><reportingOwner><reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001095349</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>MCALLISTER FRANCIS R</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>  </rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>  </rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>  </rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>  </rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>  </rptOwnerZipCode>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
<isDirector>1</isDirector><isOfficer>0</isOfficer><isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner><isOther>0</isOther><officerTitle></officerTitle><otherText></otherText></reportingOwnerRelationship></reportingOwner><derivativeSecurity><securityTitle><value>Stock Units</value></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><value>0</value><footnoteId id="F1" /></conversionOrExercisePrice><transactionDate><value>2003-07-08</value></transactionDate><transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType><transactionCode>A</transactionCode><equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved><footnoteId id="F2" /></transactionCoding><transactionTimeliness><value></value></transactionTimeliness><transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>83.426</value></transactionShares><transactionValue><value>17.98</value></transactionValue><transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>A</value></transactionAcquiredDisposedCode></transactionAmounts><exerciseDate><value>1988-08-08</value><footnoteId id="F2" /></exerciseDate><expirationDate><value>
1988-08-08</value><footnoteId id="F2" /></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common Shares</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>83.426</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>12458.8533</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeSecurity><footnotes><footnote id="F1">Converted common stock on a 1-for-1 basis.

</footnote><footnote id="F2">Reflects number of Common Shares underlying deferred compensation credited to the account of the Reporting Person in payment of 100% of the Reporting Person's Meeting Fees under the Cleveland-Cliffs Inc Nonemployee Directors Compensation Plan.  Each Stock Unit is generally distributable following termination of service as a Director.

</footnote></footnotes><ownerSignature><signatureName>/s/ John E. Lenhard, by power of atty.</signatureName><signatureDate>2003-07-08</signatureDate></ownerSignature></ownershipDocument>

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