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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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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000909413-04-000006.txt : 20040521
<SEC-HEADER>0000909413-04-000006.hdr.sgml : 20040521
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040521104108
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000909413-04-000006
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040520
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040521

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Wilson Gary M
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001291236

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-13071
		FILM NUMBER:		04822956

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2814055161

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		12001 NORTH HOUSTON ROSSLYN
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77086

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			HANOVER COMPRESSOR CO /
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000909413
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SERVICES-EQUIPMENT RENTAL & LEASING, NEC [7359]
		IRS NUMBER:				752344249
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		12001 N HOUSTON ROSSLYN
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77086
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2814478787

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		12001 NORTH HOUSTON ROSSLYN
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77086

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	HANOVER COMPRESSOR CO
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19960716
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>c0001291236d20040521f4f.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-05-20</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000909413</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>HANOVER COMPRESSOR CO /</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>HC</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001291236</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Wilson Gary M</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>12001 N. HOUSTON ROSSLYN RD.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>HOUSTON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>TX</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>77086</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Sr VP, Gen Counsel &amp; Corp Secy</officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-05-20</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <deemedExecutionDate></deemedExecutionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>11244</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>11244</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Employee Stock Options (Right to Buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>10.38</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-05-20</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <deemedExecutionDate></deemedExecutionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>8756</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2014-05-20</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>8756</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>8756</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">This acquisition represents a grant of restricted stock on 5/20/2004 under the Company's 2003 Stock Incentive Plan and vests over a four-year period at the rate of 25% per year, beginning on 5/20/2005, and on each successive anniversary of the date of grant.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">The non-qualified options vest over a four-year period at the rate of 25% per year, beginning on the first anniversary of the grant date and on each successive anniversary of the date of grant.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Gary M Wilson</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-05-21</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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