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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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 62qNI1fvYUMQQJW2kAYg3Q==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001198929-03-000074.txt : 20030508
<SEC-HEADER>0001198929-03-000074.hdr.sgml : 20030508
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030508155434
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001198929-03-000074
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030506
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030508

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			LAWRENCE JAMES A
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001220006

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-10898
		FILM NUMBER:		03688203

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2211 S 47TH ST
		CITY:			PHOENIX
		STATE:			AZ
		ZIP:			85034

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ST PAUL COMPANIES INC /MN/
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000086312
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	FIRE, MARINE & CASUALTY INSURANCE [6331]
		IRS NUMBER:				410518860
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			MN
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		385 WASHINGTON ST
		CITY:			SAINT PAUL
		STATE:			MN
		ZIP:			55102
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6123107911

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	ST PAUL FIRE & MARINE INSURANCE CO/MD
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19990219

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	ST PAUL COMPANIES INC/MN/
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19990219

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	SAINT PAUL COMPANIES INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19900730
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>

<ownershipDocument>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2003-05-06</periodOfReport>


    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000086312</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>ST PAUL COMPANIES INC /MN/</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>SPC</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001220006</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>LAWRENCE JAMES A</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>  </rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>  </rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>  </rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>  </rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>  </rptOwnerZipCode>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeSecurity>
        <securityTitle>
            <value>Deferred Compensation Phantom Stock</value>
            <footnoteId id="F1"/>
        </securityTitle>
        <conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <value>0</value>
        </conversionOrExercisePrice>
        <transactionDate>
            <value>2003-05-06</value>
        </transactionDate>
        <transactionCoding>
            <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
            <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
            <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
        </transactionCoding>
        <transactionTimeliness>
            <value></value>
        </transactionTimeliness>
        <transactionAmounts>
            <transactionShares>
                <value>190.92</value>
            </transactionShares>
            <transactionValue>
                <value>34.7</value>
            </transactionValue>
            <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                <value>A</value>
            </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
        </transactionAmounts>
        <exerciseDate>
            <value>1988-08-08</value>
            <footnoteId id="F1"/>
        </exerciseDate>
        <expirationDate>
            <value>1988-08-08</value>
        </expirationDate>
        <underlyingSecurity>
            <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </underlyingSecurityTitle>
            <underlyingSecurityShares>
                <value>190.92</value>
            </underlyingSecurityShares>
        </underlyingSecurity>
        <postTransactionAmounts>
            <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                <value>190.92</value>
            </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
        </postTransactionAmounts>
        <ownershipNature>
            <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <value>D</value>
            </directOrIndirectOwnership>
        </ownershipNature>
    </derivativeSecurity>

    <derivativeSecurity>
        <securityTitle>
            <value>Phantom Stock Units</value>
            <footnoteId id="F2"/>
        </securityTitle>
        <conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <value>0</value>
        </conversionOrExercisePrice>
        <transactionDate>
            <value>2003-05-07</value>
        </transactionDate>
        <transactionCoding>
            <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
            <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
            <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
        </transactionCoding>
        <transactionTimeliness>
            <value></value>
        </transactionTimeliness>
        <transactionAmounts>
            <transactionShares>
                <value>729.93</value>
            </transactionShares>
            <transactionValue>
                <value>34.25</value>
            </transactionValue>
            <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                <value>A</value>
            </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
        </transactionAmounts>
        <exerciseDate>
            <value>1988-08-08</value>
            <footnoteId id="F2"/>
        </exerciseDate>
        <expirationDate>
            <value>1988-08-08</value>
        </expirationDate>
        <underlyingSecurity>
            <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </underlyingSecurityTitle>
            <underlyingSecurityShares>
                <value>729.93</value>
            </underlyingSecurityShares>
        </underlyingSecurity>
        <postTransactionAmounts>
            <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                <value>729.93</value>
            </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
        </postTransactionAmounts>
        <ownershipNature>
            <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <value>D</value>
            </directOrIndirectOwnership>
        </ownershipNature>
    </derivativeSecurity>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">These are phantom shares acquired under the Company's Director's Deferred Compensation Plan.  Allowed distribution must be received by the Reporting Person in cash according to an election(s)  previously made by the Reporting Person, approved by the Company's Personnel and Compensation Committee, and kept on file by the Company.  Acquisitions are exempt under Rule 16b-3(d).</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">These are phantom shares acquired under the Company's Deferred Stock Plan for Non-Employee Directors.  Distributions must be received by the Reporting Person in stock according to an election previously made by the Reporting Person, approved by the Company's Board Governance Committee, and kept on file by the Company.  Acquisitions are exempt under Rule 16b-3(d).</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Bruce A. Backberg, by power of atty. for James Lawrence</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2003-05-08</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>

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