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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,
 KgaGl4ChYxcxsKwCacGyjLEp5d+1jz6/haXfdtep3oJ+jsNqVV2RF2TIS8sUDzzw
 UzRyAS65IXk99Og5R7sqLw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001104659-03-013889.txt : 20030702
<SEC-HEADER>0001104659-03-013889.hdr.sgml : 20030702
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030702153024
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001104659-03-013889
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030627
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030702

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MIDDLEBY CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000769520
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	REFRIGERATION & SERVICE INDUSTRY MACHINERY [3580]
		IRS NUMBER:				363352497
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1400 TOASTMASTER DRIVE
		CITY:			ELGIN
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60120
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8477413300

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1400 TOASTMASTER DRIVE
		CITY:			ELGIN
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60120

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			RILEY DAVID P
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001049019

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-09973
		FILM NUMBER:		03771787

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2 SOUTH COVE DRIVE
		CITY:			SOUTH BARRINGTON
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60010
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8473813381

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2 SOUTH COVE DRIVE
		CITY:			SOUTH BARRINGTON
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60010
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>j2725_4.xml
<DESCRIPTION>4
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" standalone="no"?>
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0101</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>
  <periodOfReport>2003-06-27</periodOfReport>
  <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>
    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000769520</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>MIDDLEBY CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>MIDD</issuerTradingSymbol>
  </issuer>
  <reportingOwner>
    <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001049019</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>RILEY DAVID P</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>
    </reportingOwnerRelationship>
  </reportingOwner>
  <nonDerivativeSecurity>
    <securityTitle>
      <value>Common Stock</value>
    </securityTitle>
    <transactionDate>
      <value>2003-06-27</value>
    </transactionDate>
    <transactionCoding>
      <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
      <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
      <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
    </transactionCoding>
    <transactionTimeliness>
      <value/>
    </transactionTimeliness>
    <transactionAmounts>
      <transactionShares>
        <value>73670</value>
        <footnoteId id="F1"/>
      </transactionShares>
      <transactionValue>
        <value>12.31</value>
      </transactionValue>
      <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
        <value>D</value>
      </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
    </transactionAmounts>
    <postTransactionAmounts>
      <valueOwnedFollowingTransaction>
        <value>0</value>
      </valueOwnedFollowingTransaction>
    </postTransactionAmounts>
    <ownershipNature>
      <directOrIndirectOwnership>
        <value>I</value>
      </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      <natureOfOwnership>
        <value>By Spouse</value>
      </natureOfOwnership>
    </ownershipNature>
  </nonDerivativeSecurity>
  <footnotes>
    <footnote id="F1">Shares sold by Linda M. Riley TTEE of the Linda M. Riley Irrevocable Trust. Reporting person disclaims beneficial ownership of these shares.</footnote>
  </footnotes>
  <ownerSignature>
    <signatureName>/s/ Martin M. Lindsay signing on behalf of David P. Riley as authorized via a signed Power of Attorney dated March 27, 2003</signatureName>
    <signatureDate>2003-07-01</signatureDate>
  </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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