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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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 Fbp+i++fQ66SHbh8fsZYhw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000950157-05-000303.txt : 20050315
<SEC-HEADER>0000950157-05-000303.hdr.sgml : 20050315
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20050315173814
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000950157-05-000303
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20050314
FILED AS OF DATE:		20050315
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20050315

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			TARNOPOL MICHAEL L
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001047255

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-10746
		FILM NUMBER:		05682786

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		5162223000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O AVIS RENT A CAR INC
		STREET 2:		900 OLD COUNTRY RD
		CITY:			GARDEN CITY
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			11530

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			JONES APPAREL GROUP INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000874016
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	WOMEN'S, MISSES', AND JUNIORS OUTERWEAR [2330]
		IRS NUMBER:				060935166
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			PA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		250 RITTENHOUSE CIRCLE
		STREET 2:		KEYSTONE PK
		CITY:			BRISTOL
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			19007
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2157854000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		250 RITTENHOUSE CIRCLE
		CITY:			BRISTOL
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			19007
</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>2005-03-14</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000874016</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>JONES APPAREL GROUP INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>JNY</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001047255</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>TARNOPOL MICHAEL L</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O AVIS RENT A CAR INC</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>900 OLD COUNTRY RD</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>GARDEN CITY</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>11530</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>2005-03-14</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>3000</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>3000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Grant of restricted stock, pursuant to the terms of the Jones Apparel Group, Inc. 1999 Stock Incentive Plan.  Vesting restrictions lapse as to one third of the shares on the second business day immediately following the Company's public announcement of fourth quarter financial results for each of 2005, 2006 and 2007.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Michael L. Tarnopol</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-03-14</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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