-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 IbUSXW0TL8ifRvlt2S6zj4TAYyBlYmqp4etIi9+olvV+NKA/P0k6kK7wPvidhbRw
 uMhi6uxHuPFQ75aPrPZQCg==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001209191-04-023449.txt : 20040504
<SEC-HEADER>0001209191-04-023449.hdr.sgml : 20040504
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040504132828
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001209191-04-023449
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040501
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040504

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			COLE NATIONAL CORP /DE/
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000769644
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	RETAIL-RETAIL STORES, NEC [5990]
		IRS NUMBER:				341453189
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0130

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1925 ENTERPRISE PARKWAY
		STREET 2:		N/A
		CITY:			TWINSBURG
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			44087
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3304863100

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1925 ENTERPISE PARKWAY
		STREET 2:		N/A
		CITY:			TWINSBURG
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			44087

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	CNC HOLDING CORP/DE
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19920703

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			SALMON WALTER J
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001013938

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-12814
		FILM NUMBER:		04776698

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O NEIMAN MARCUS GROUP INC
		STREET 2:		1618 MAIN STREET
		CITY:			DALLAS
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			75201
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2078852349

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O NEIMAN MARCUS GROUP INC
		STREET 2:		1618 MAIN STREET
		CITY:			DALLAS
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			75201
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>doc4.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4 SUBMISSION
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-05-01</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000769644</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>COLE NATIONAL CORP /DE/</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>CNJ</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001013938</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>SALMON WALTER J</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>64 WINTER STREET</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>LINCOLN</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NE</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>01773</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Phantom Stock Units</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-05-01</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <deemedExecutionDate></deemedExecutionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>145.0000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>25.5300</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>145.0000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>7038.0000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Security converts to common stock on a one-for-one basis.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Reflects Common Shares underlying deferred compensation credited to the account of the Reporting Person under the Cole National Corporation Nonemployee Director Equity and Deferred Compensation Plan.  Each phantom stock unit is generally distributed following termination of services as a director.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Walter J. Salmon</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-05-04</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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