<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0101</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>
    <periodOfReport>2003-07-01</periodOfReport>
    <noSecuritiesOwned>1</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000319256</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>SEARS ROEBUCK &amp; CO</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>S</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001190970</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>O LEARY ROBERT J</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>  </rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>  </rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>  </rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>  </rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>  </rptOwnerZipCode>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Senior Vice President</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>
    <ownerSignature>
       <signatureName>Robert  J. O'Leary</signatureName>
       <signatureDate>2003-07-02</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
    <ownerSignature>
       <signatureName>Robert J. O'Leary</signatureName>
       <signatureDate>2003-07-02</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

