Document And Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 01, 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			$ 36,833,000
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		19,504,693
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2011
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2011