Document And Entity Information (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	May 02, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011
Entity Registrant Name	RESOURCE AMERICA, INC.
Entity Central Index Key	0000083402
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--09-30
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float			$ 40,888,000
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		19,730,457
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2011
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2011