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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 Ac8YaeB59I41O37n1qDBtITPy92hCI9o8FqAkuWtJXhK6EaZLgQAEBYCITwuHM5/
 ZaGReXWS/P7RXC9ZwA7mcA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000939057-05-000233.txt : 20050809
<SEC-HEADER>0000939057-05-000233.hdr.sgml : 20050809
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20050809151147
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000939057-05-000233
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20050809
FILED AS OF DATE:		20050809
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20050809

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MIDDLETON CAROLYN S
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001260914

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-50362
		FILM NUMBER:		051009398

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		P O BOX 11628
		CITY:			TACOMA
		STATE:			WA
		ZIP:			984116628

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			RAINIER PACIFIC FINANCIAL GROUP INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001243800
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	STATE COMMERCIAL BANKS [6022]
		IRS NUMBER:				870700148
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			WA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1498 PACIFIC AVENUE
		CITY:			TACOMA
		STATE:			WA
		ZIP:			98402
		BUSINESS PHONE:		(253) 926-4007

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1498 PACIFIC AVENUE
		CITY:			TACOMA
		STATE:			WA
		ZIP:			98402
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2005-08-09</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001243800</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>RAINIER PACIFIC FINANCIAL GROUP INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>RPFG</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001260914</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>MIDDLETON CAROLYN S</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>P O BOX 11628</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>TACOMA</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>WA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>984116628</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>VP/CLO of Bank Subsidiary</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2005-08-09</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>4000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>16.73</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>15500</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/Carolyn S. Middleton</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-08-09</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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