-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 DoN3BaEuluZ2VNoM07TkHYYGGG+u7Q+XThtdfC0tO4jNuPkGDauiaw5VlpvcaRwm
 1qz/q5m/LWaBrlpaDsh9iw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001208331-03-000001.txt : 20030929
<SEC-HEADER>0001208331-03-000001.hdr.sgml : 20030929
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030929170331
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001208331-03-000001
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030926
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030929

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MONTGOMERY HENRY C
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001208331

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-21488
		FILM NUMBER:		03915549

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		SWIFT ENERGY CO
		STREET 2:		SUITE 400, 16825 NORTHCHASE DR.
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77060

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CATALYST SEMICONDUCTOR INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000899636
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SEMICONDUCTORS & RELATED DEVICES [3674]
		IRS NUMBER:				770083129
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0430

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1250 BORREGAS AVE
		CITY:			SUNNYVALE
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94089
		BUSINESS PHONE:		4085421000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1250 BORREGAS AVE
		CITY:			SUNNYVALE
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94089
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>

<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2003-09-26</periodOfReport>


    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000899636</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>CATALYST SEMICONDUCTOR INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>CATS</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001208331</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>MONTGOMERY HENRY C</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O CATALYST SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>1250 BORREGAS AVE.</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SUNNYVALE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>94089</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>

        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2003-09-26</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <deemedExecutionDate>
                <value>2003-09-26</value>
            </deemedExecutionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>3300</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>5.49</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>21000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>

    </nonDerivativeTable>



    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Henry C. Montgomery</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2003-09-29</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>

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