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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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 rLzVFAwNphtPlSjxFxy+Iw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000893538-04-000025.txt : 20040126
<SEC-HEADER>0000893538-04-000025.hdr.sgml : 20040126
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040126104006
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000893538-04-000025
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040122
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040126

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BICKLE LARRY W
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000939252

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-31539
		FILM NUMBER:		04542419

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		200 WESTLAKE PARK BLVD
		STREET 2:		SUITE 1000
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77079-2908

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		200 WESTLAKE PARK BLVD
		STREET 2:		SUITE 1000
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77079-2908

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ST MARY LAND & EXPLORATION CO
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000893538
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	CRUDE PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS [1311]
		IRS NUMBER:				410518430
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1776 LINCOLN ST STE 1100
		CITY:			DENVER
		STATE:			CO
		ZIP:			80203
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3038618140
</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>2004-01-22</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000893538</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>ST MARY LAND &amp; EXPLORATION CO</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>SM</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0000939252</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>BICKLE LARRY W</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>200 WESTLAKE PARK BLVD</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 1000</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>HOUSTON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>TX</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>77079-2908</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, $.01 par value</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-01-22</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>500</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>30</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>26900</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">On January 22, 2004, Mr. Bickle was granted 500 shares of common stock by the Company for director fees.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Teresa B. Rosenthal (Attorney-in-fact)</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-01-26</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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