-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 KTxacfpEbh02sSIvXaQFbQ+bXjGRi03HV04Tc5ShGHBTZngnZq4bJjvu9hufAKiY
 G+LHMUCzTAzjto2tghklmA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000879554-03-000066.txt : 20031002
<SEC-HEADER>0000879554-03-000066.hdr.sgml : 20031002
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20031002135429
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000879554-03-000066
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030930
FILED AS OF DATE:		20031002

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			O HARA PETER C
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001093976

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-19649
		FILM NUMBER:		03923351

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		CAPITAL MANAGEMENT OF LINY INC
		STREET 2:		375 COMMACK ROAD
		CITY:			DEER PARK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			11729

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		375 COMMACK ROAD
		CITY:			DEER PARK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			11729

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CHECKERS DRIVE IN RESTAURANTS INC /DE
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000879554
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	RETAIL-EATING PLACES [5812]
		IRS NUMBER:				581654960
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		4300 WEST CYPRESS STREET
		STREET 2:		SUITE 600
		CITY:			TAMPA
		STATE:			FL
		ZIP:			33607
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8132837000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		4300 WEST CYPRESS STREET
		STREET 2:		SUITE 600
		CITY:			TAMPA
		STATE:			FL
		ZIP:			33607
</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>2003-09-30</periodOfReport>


    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000879554</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>CHECKERS DRIVE IN RESTAURANTS INC /DE</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>CHKR</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001093976</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>O HARA PETER C</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>375 COMMACK ROAD</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>DEER PARK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>11729</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>

        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock (Right to Buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>9.629</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2003-09-30</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>40000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2003-09-30</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2013-09-30</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>40000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>40000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>

    </derivativeTable>



    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Peter C. O'Hara, Chairman of the Board</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2003-10-02</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>

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