-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 CFCcW9ODFLsxKLJ3kEGL2dRinJW8exy/jAGnrqK0Kb9NTD/KvGOz7kf8G5W1cCCk
 zsnkIZPqsh62Hg9AMvZMjQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001283845-04-000001.txt : 20040318
<SEC-HEADER>0001283845-04-000001.hdr.sgml : 20040318
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040318162011
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001283845-04-000001
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040316
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040318

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			STELLING PETER H
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001283845

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-05265
		FILM NUMBER:		04678007

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		169 PROGRESS DRIVE
		CITY:			MANCHESTER
		STATE:			CT
		ZIP:			06040
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8606457878

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			SCAN OPTICS INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000087086
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	COMPUTER PERIPHERAL EQUIPMENT, NEC [3577]
		IRS NUMBER:				060851857
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		169 PROGRESS DR
		CITY:			MANCHESTER
		STATE:			CT
		ZIP:			06040
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8606457878

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		169 PROGRESS DR
		CITY:			MANCHESTER
		STATE:			CT
		ZIP:			06040
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-03-16</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>1</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000087086</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>SCAN OPTICS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>SOCR.OB</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001283845</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>STELLING PETER H</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>169 PROGRESS DRIVE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>MANCHESTER</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CT</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>06040</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>CFO, Vice President, Treasurer</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Peter H. Stelling</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-03-18</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----