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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 J5yY0JjczKDe/hkrW5M2At3yC2d2Zekf6PqRYW2oMyT6Qm3B1hgQV/pab+jCURza
 3pIADCBLPbSQLqaHKf5RTQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001244490-04-000086.txt : 20040406
<SEC-HEADER>0001244490-04-000086.hdr.sgml : 20040406
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040406200237
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001244490-04-000086
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040405
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040406

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			SCIENTIFIC ATLANTA INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000087777
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	RADIO & TV BROADCASTING & COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT [3663]
		IRS NUMBER:				580612397
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			GA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0630

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		5030 SUGARLOAF PARKWAY
		CITY:			LAWRENCEVILLE
		STATE:			GA
		ZIP:			30044
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7709035000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		5030 SUGARLOAF PARKWAY
		CITY:			LAWRENCEVILLE
		STATE:			GA
		ZIP:			30044

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	SCIENTIFIC ASSOCIATES INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19671024

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			NUNN SAMUEL A
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001106854

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-05517
		FILM NUMBER:		04721243

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O KING & SPALDING
		STREET 2:		1730 PENNSYLVANIA AVE NW
		CITY:			WASHINGTON
		STATE:			DC
		ZIP:			20006
		BUSINESS PHONE:		5127284737

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE DELL WAY
		CITY:			ROUND ROCK
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			78682-2244
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>doc4.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-04-05</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000087777</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>SCIENTIFIC ATLANTA INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>SFA</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001106854</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>NUNN SAMUEL A</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>191 PEACHTREE STREET191 PEACHTREE STREET</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>49TH FLOOR49TH FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>ATLANTA</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>GA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>30303</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>2004-04-05</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>524</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>31.8925</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>46938</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable></derivativeTable>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Patricia L Van Gorder, pursuant to a Power of Attorney</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-04-06</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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