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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,
 UQcp0HuHP4CA0bCZgJYbiJP1bXimzFMBvJBK4sp6X6JakVQBL4400SyMb4PEXhFV
 hOHyClgPzSU0UUKFRcPalg==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001019056-04-000864.txt : 20040617
<SEC-HEADER>0001019056-04-000864.hdr.sgml : 20040617
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040617123202
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001019056-04-000864
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040521
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040617

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			GALYANS TRADING CO INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001137067
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	RETAIL-MISCELLANEOUS SHOPPING GOODS STORES [5940]
		IRS NUMBER:				351529720
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			IN
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0131

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE GALYANS PARKWAY
		CITY:			PLAINFIELD
		STATE:			IN
		ZIP:			46168
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3175320200

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE GALYANS PARKWAY
		CITY:			PLAINFIELD
		STATE:			IN
		ZIP:			46168

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ALLUMBAUGH BYRON
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001032117

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-32911
		FILM NUMBER:		04868277

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		P O BOX 54143
		CITY:			LOS ANGELES
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			90054
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7147745796

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		P O BOX 54143
		CITY:			LOS ANGELS
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			90054
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-05-21</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001137067</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>GALYANS TRADING CO INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>GLYN</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001032117</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>ALLUMBAUGH BYRON</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>33 RIDGELINE DRIVE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEWPORT BEACH</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>92660</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Employee Stock Option (Right to Buy Common Stock)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>8.96</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-05-21</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>5000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2005-05-21</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2011-05-21</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>5000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>25000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The option vests in three (3) equal annual installments beginning May 21, 2005.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>C. David Zoba, Attorney In Fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-06-16</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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