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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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 UoAFGBmq3FMG0RDoFX3y9Q==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001209191-03-006890.txt : 20030606
<SEC-HEADER>0001209191-03-006890.hdr.sgml : 20030606
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030606135306
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001209191-03-006890
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030604
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030606

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			FIRSTCITY FINANCIAL CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000828678
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SHORT-TERM BUSINESS CREDIT INSTITUTIONS [6153]
		IRS NUMBER:				760243729
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		6400 IMPERIAL DRIVE
		CITY:			WACO
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			76712
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2547511750

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		6400 IMPERIAL DRIVE
		CITY:			WACO
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			76712

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	FIRST CITY BANCORPORATION OF TEXAS INC/
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19920703

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	FIRST CITY ACQUISITION CORP
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19880523

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			SARTAIN JAMES T
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001237802

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	033-19694
		FILM NUMBER:		03735565

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		3715 TANGLEY
		CITY:			WACO HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			76712
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2547511750

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		6400 IMPERIAL DRIVE
		CITY:			WACO
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			76712
</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>2003-06-04</periodOfReport><issuer><issuerCik>0000828678</issuerCik><issuerName>FIRSTCITY FINANCIAL CORP</issuerName>        <issuerTradingSymbol>fcfc</issuerTradingSymbol></issuer><reportingOwner><reportingOwnerId><rptOwnerCik>0001237802</rptOwnerCik><rptOwnerName>SARTAIN JAMES T</rptOwnerName></reportingOwnerId><reportingOwnerAddress><rptOwnerStreet1>  </rptOwnerStreet1><rptOwnerStreet2>  </rptOwnerStreet2><rptOwnerCity>  </rptOwnerCity><rptOwnerState>  </rptOwnerState><rptOwnerZipCode>  </rptOwnerZipCode></reportingOwnerAddress><reportingOwnerRelationship><isDirector>1</isDirector><isOfficer>1</isOfficer><isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner><isOther>0</isOther><officerTitle>CEO</officerTitle><otherText></otherText></reportingOwnerRelationship></reportingOwner><nonDerivativeSecurity><securityTitle><value>Common Stock</value></securityTitle><transactionDate><value>2003-06-04</valu
e></transactionDate><transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType><transactionCode>P</transactionCode><equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved></transactionCoding><transactionTimeliness><value></value></transactionTimeliness><transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>1000</value></transactionShares><transactionValue><value>1.9</value></transactionValue><transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>A</value></transactionAcquiredDisposedCode></transactionAmounts><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>1028910</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value><footnoteId id="F1" /></directOrIndirectOwnership></ownershipNature></nonDerivativeSecurity><footnotes><footnote id="F1">Additionally, Mr. Sartain owns 250,994 shares of common stock which are held of record by J-Hawk I,Ltd., the sole general partner of which is Combined Funding, Inc. The reporting person may be deemed to beneficially own such
 shares of common stock as a result of his ownership of over 50% of the common stock of Combined Funding Inc.</footnote></footnotes><ownerSignature><signatureName>James T. Sartain</signatureName><signatureDate>2003-06-06</signatureDate></ownerSignature></ownershipDocument>

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