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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>0000933430-09-000018.txt : 20091203
<SEC-HEADER>0000933430-09-000018.hdr.sgml : 20091203
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20091203163146
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000933430-09-000018
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20091201
FILED AS OF DATE:		20091203
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20091203

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			WHITMORE BRADFORD T
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000933430
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			IL
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-13003
		FILM NUMBER:		091220511

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1560 SHERMAN AVE
		STREET 2:		SUITE 900
		CITY:			EVANSTON
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60201

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			SILVERLEAF RESORTS INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001033032
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	REAL ESTATE AGENTS & MANAGERS (FOR OTHERS) [6531]
		IRS NUMBER:				752259890
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1221 RIVERBEND DR
		STREET 2:		SUITE 120
		CITY:			DALLAS
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			75247
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2146311166

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1221 RIVERBEND DR
		STREET 2:		SUITE 120
		CITY:			DALLAS
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			75247
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2009-12-01</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001033032</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>SILVERLEAF RESORTS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>SVLF</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0000933430</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>WHITMORE BRADFORD T</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>1560 SHERMAN AVE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 900</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>EVANSTON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>IL</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>60201</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2009-12-01</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>60000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0.67</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1417137</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">As General Partner of Grace Brothers, Ltd., Bradford T. Whitmore is an indirect beneficial owner of 6,118,825 shares of Common Stock.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Bradford T. Whitmore</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2009-12-03</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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