<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>
  <periodOfReport>2003-07-31</periodOfReport>
    <noSecuritiesOwned>1</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000914478</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>SAMSONITE CORP/FL</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>samc.ob</issuerTradingSymbol>
  </issuer>
  <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001237453</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>LYNTON MICHAEL M</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>AOL TIME WARNER INTERNATIONAL</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>75 ROCKEFELLER PLAZA, 32ND FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10019</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
      <isDirector>1</isDirector>
      <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
      <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
      <isOther>0</isOther>
    </reportingOwnerRelationship>
  </reportingOwner>
  <ownerSignature>
    <signatureName>/s/ Michael M. Lynton</signatureName>
    <signatureDate>2003-08-08</signatureDate>
  </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

