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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 KWkGHgos+AIEE0q5KTDY1m3NvfubpESqGhhfkkOedr9yuTiZmHsQb1vV1b/dm3Db
 ySgUulW5mPmz3Epnota5vA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001239275-03-000001.txt : 20030729
<SEC-HEADER>0001239275-03-000001.hdr.sgml : 20030729
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030729162859
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001239275-03-000001
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030728
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030729

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

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:		03808974

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2211 S 47TH ST
		CITY:			PHOENIX
		STATE:			AZ
		ZIP:			85034
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>

<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2003-07-28</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>2211 S 47TH ST</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>PHOENIX</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>AZ</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>85034</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>

        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Deferred Compensation Phantom Stock</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>0</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2003-07-28</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>28.09</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>35.6</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>1998-08-08</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>1998-08-08</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>28.09</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>278.8</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>

    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">These are phantom shares acquired under the Company's Director's Deferred Compensation Plan.  Allowed distributions must be received by the Reporting Person in cash according to an election previously made by the Reporting Person, approved by the Company's Compensation 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 attorney</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2003-07-29</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>

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