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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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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001229452-04-000010.txt : 20040629
<SEC-HEADER>0001229452-04-000010.hdr.sgml : 20040629
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040629144826
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001229452-04-000010
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040625
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040629

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ROANOKE ELECTRIC STEEL CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000084278
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	STEEL WORKS, BLAST FURNACES  ROLLING MILLS (COKE OVENS) [3312]
		IRS NUMBER:				540585263
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			VA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1031

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		102 WESTSIDE BLVD N W
		STREET 2:		P O BOX 13948
		CITY:			ROANOKE
		STATE:			VA
		ZIP:			24038-3948
		BUSINESS PHONE:		5403421831

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		P.O. BOX 13948
		CITY:			ROANOKE
		STATE:			VA
		ZIP:			24038-3948

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			LOGAN GEORGE W
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001013321

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-02389
		FILM NUMBER:		04888290

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		P O BOX 1190
		CITY:			SALEM
		STATE:			VA
		ZIP:			24153
		BUSINESS PHONE:		5403449230

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		P O BOX 1190
		CITY:			SALEM
		STATE:			VA
		ZIP:			24153
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-06-25</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000084278</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>ROANOKE ELECTRIC STEEL CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>resc</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001013321</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>LOGAN GEORGE W</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>P O BOX 1190</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SALEM</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>VA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>24153</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-06-25</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>500</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>13.98</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>383000</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>600</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>By Spouse</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The reporting person no longer has a reportable beneficial interest in 22,500 shares of the issuer's common stock owned by his son and included as an indirect holding in the reporting person's prior ownership reports.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>George W. Logan</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-06-29</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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