-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 PUfAlNcVDOkg30p+TA0gjMQ9N3KPtYesCQXVl9uGEvY1xR+kdNKWG4kSiqXuzNFL
 8Tyad45Y4MbUtmfHXjiQdg==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001213950-07-000014.txt : 20070320
<SEC-HEADER>0001213950-07-000014.hdr.sgml : 20070320
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20070320184558
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001213950-07-000014
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20070316
FILED AS OF DATE:		20070320
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20070320

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			SCOTT KIPLING W
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001215518

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-08029
		FILM NUMBER:		07707543

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		21606 NORTH OLD BARRINGTON ROAD
		CITY:			BARRINGTON
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60010

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			RYLAND GROUP INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000085974
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	OPERATIVE BUILDERS [1531]
		IRS NUMBER:				520849948
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			MD
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		24025 PARK SORRENTO
		STREET 2:		SUITE 400
		CITY:			CALABASAS
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			91302
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8182237500

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	RYAN JAMES P CO
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19720414
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2007-03-16</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000085974</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>RYLAND GROUP INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>RYL</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001215518</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>SCOTT KIPLING W</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>24025 PARK SORRENTO, SUITE 400</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>CALABASAS</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>91302</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Exec. Vice President &amp; COO</officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable></nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Restricted Stock Units</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2007-03-16</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <deemedExecutionDate></deemedExecutionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>25000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2008-03-16</value>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>25000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>25000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F2">The restricted stock units vest on March 16, 2008 subject to the satisfaction of certain performance criteria.  Upon vesting, the restricted stock units will be delivered to the Reporting Person 50% in common stock and 50% in a cash amount equal to the fair market value of one share of the issuer's common stock per unit.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F1">Each restricted stock unit represents a contingent right to receive one share of TRG's common stock and/or the cash value thereof.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Sheri L. Markham, Attorney-In-Fact for Kipling W. Scott</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2007-03-20</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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