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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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 GmFVNhdQ84yAfo8NZRpXfw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001104659-03-016619.txt : 20030804
<SEC-HEADER>0001104659-03-016619.hdr.sgml : 20030804
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030804215251
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001104659-03-016619
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030801
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030804

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			RIVERS CAROL S
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001255783

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-31721
		FILM NUMBER:		03822125

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		AVIS CAPITAL HOLDINGSLTD
		STREET 2:		HAMILTON PENNBROOK
		CITY:			BERMUDA
		STATE:			D0
		ZIP:			00000

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			AXIS CAPITAL HOLDINGS L
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001214816
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	FIRE, MARINE & CASUALTY INSURANCE [6331]

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		106 PITTS BAY ROAD
		CITY:			PEMBROKE
		STATE:			D0
		ZIP:			00000
		BUSINESS PHONE:		4412962600
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>a4.xml
<DESCRIPTION>4
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>
  <periodOfReport>2003-08-01</periodOfReport>
  <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>
    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001214816</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>AXIS CAPITAL HOLDINGS L</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>AXS</issuerTradingSymbol>
  </issuer>
  <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001255783</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>RIVERS CAROL S</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>AVIS CAPITAL HOLDINGSLTD</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>HAMILTON PENNBROOK</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>BERMUDA</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>D0</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>00000</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription>BERMUDA</rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
      <isDirector>0</isDirector>
      <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
      <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
      <isOther>0</isOther>
      <officerTitle>Sr. VP and General Counsel</officerTitle>
    </reportingOwnerRelationship>
  </reportingOwner>
  <derivativeTable>
    <derivativeTransaction>
      <securityTitle>
        <value>Stock Option</value>
        <footnoteId id="F1"/>
      </securityTitle>
      <conversionOrExercisePrice>
        <value>25.50</value>
      </conversionOrExercisePrice>
      <transactionDate>
        <value>2003-08-01</value>
      </transactionDate>
      <transactionCoding>
        <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
        <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
        <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
      </transactionCoding>
      <transactionTimeliness>
        <value></value>
      </transactionTimeliness>
      <transactionAmounts>
        <transactionShares>
          <value>2500</value>
        </transactionShares>
        <transactionPricePerShare>
          <value>25.50</value>
        </transactionPricePerShare>
        <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
          <value>A</value>
        </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
      </transactionAmounts>
      <exerciseDate>
        <value>2004-08-01</value>
        <footnoteId id="F2"/>
      </exerciseDate>
      <expirationDate>
        <value>2013-08-01</value>
      </expirationDate>
      <underlyingSecurity>
        <underlyingSecurityTitle>
          <value>Common Shares</value>
        </underlyingSecurityTitle>
        <underlyingSecurityShares>
          <value>2500</value>
        </underlyingSecurityShares>
      </underlyingSecurity>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
        <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
          <value>2500</value>
        </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
        <directOrIndirectOwnership>
          <value>D</value>
        </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
    </derivativeTransaction>
  </derivativeTable>
  <footnotes>
    <footnote id="F1">The stock option was granted pursuant to the AXIS Capital Holdings Limited 2003 Long-Term Equity Compensation Plan.</footnote>
    <footnote id="F2">The stock option will vest 1/3 each year commencing on the first anniversary of the date of grant.</footnote>
  </footnotes>
  <ownerSignature>
    <signatureName>Carol S. Rivers</signatureName>
    <signatureDate>2003-08-04</signatureDate>
  </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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