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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001209191-08-059967.txt : 20081112
<SEC-HEADER>0001209191-08-059967.hdr.sgml : 20081111
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20081112101410
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001209191-08-059967
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20081107
FILED AS OF DATE:		20081112
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20081112

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ODYSSEY HEALTHCARE INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001129623
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SERVICES-NURSING & PERSONAL CARE FACILITIES [8050]
		IRS NUMBER:				431723043
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		717 N HARWOOD
		STREET 2:		SUITE 1500
		CITY:			DALLAS
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			75201
		BUSINESS PHONE:		214-922-9711

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		717 N HARWOOD
		STREET 2:		SUITE 1500
		CITY:			DALLAS
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			75201

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BICKHAM W BRADLEY
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001257773

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-33267
		FILM NUMBER:		081178742

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		717 N. HOWARD
		CITY:			DALLAS
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			75201
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>doc4.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4 SUBMISSION
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2008-11-07</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001129623</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>ODYSSEY HEALTHCARE INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>ODSY</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001257773</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>BICKHAM W BRADLEY</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>717 N. HARWOOD</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 1500</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>DALLAS</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>TX</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>75201</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>VP and General Counsel</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2008-11-07</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <deemedExecutionDate></deemedExecutionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>7288</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>9.88</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>64789</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Sales were pursuant to a Rule 10b5-1 plan established by the Reporting Person on August 11, 2008.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">The total number of shares beneficially owned consists of 1,897 shares of common stock, 6,250 shares of restricted stock, and 56,642 restricted stock units.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ W. Bradley Bickham</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-11-11</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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