-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 HwFU7RiAotnF66DURyF4wCIxr018sRZ9YZvLwcSNPN3UdqshU+Yb6dj1u8mi73NP
 mzk8ejQBImWpVZ05kzQrFg==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001276913-04-000001.txt : 20040218
<SEC-HEADER>0001276913-04-000001.hdr.sgml : 20040218
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040218103340
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001276913-04-000001
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040217
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040218

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:			VIPPERMAN JOSEPH H
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001276913

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-02389
		FILM NUMBER:		04612011

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		PO BOX 13948
		CITY:			ROANOKE
		STATE:			VA
		ZIP:			24038-3948
		BUSINESS PHONE:		5403421831

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		PO BOX 13948
		CITY:			ROANOKE
		STATE:			VA
		ZIP:			24038-3948
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-02-17</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001276913</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>VIPPERMAN JOSEPH H</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>PO BOX 13948</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>ROANOKE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>VA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>24038-3948</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>350</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Joseph H. Vipperman</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-02-18</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----