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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>0001298481-06-000012.txt : 20060413
<SEC-HEADER>0001298481-06-000012.hdr.sgml : 20060413
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20060413105931
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001298481-06-000012
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20060411
FILED AS OF DATE:		20060413
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20060413

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:			LUNSFORD CHARLES I II
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001229465

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-02389
		FILM NUMBER:		06757517

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1812 DIAMOND HILL RD
		CITY:			MONETA
		STATE:			VA
		ZIP:			24121
</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>2006-04-11</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001229465</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>LUNSFORD CHARLES I II</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>1812 DIAMOND HILL RD</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>MONETA</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>VA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>24121</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>2006-04-11</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>D</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>21745</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>0</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Pursuant to the terms of the merger agreement among the issuer, Steel Dynamics, Inc., and RS Acquisition Corporation, each share of the the issuer's common stock has been converted into, and exchanged for, $9.75 in cash and 0.40 of share of common stock of Steel Dynamics' common stock, which stock had a market value of $57.02 per share at the effective time of the merger.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Charles I. Lunsford, II</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2006-04-13</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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