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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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 nvhTyOiqwCfngdWxVf8Hzw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001298481-05-000007.txt : 20050201
<SEC-HEADER>0001298481-05-000007.hdr.sgml : 20050201
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20050201121059
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001298481-05-000007
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20050128
FILED AS OF DATE:		20050201
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20050201

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:		05564667

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		5403449230

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		P O BOX 1190
		CITY:			SALEM
		STATE:			VA
		ZIP:			24153

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
</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>2005-01-28</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>2005-01-28</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>1500</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>384500</value>
                </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">Represents an automatic formula grant of restricted stock under the issuer's 2005 Stock Incentive Plan approved by shareholders on January 28, 2005.  The shares represented by this grant vest on January 28, 2006.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>George W. Logan</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-02-01</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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