-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000012978-05-000012.txt : 20050304
<SEC-HEADER>0000012978-05-000012.hdr.sgml : 20050304
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20050304130242
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000012978-05-000012
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3/A
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20050304
FILED AS OF DATE:		20050304
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20050304

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Rowsey Michael D
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001307542

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3/A
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-05057
		FILM NUMBER:		05660537

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		(630) 438-8604

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		150 PIERCE ROAD
		CITY:			ITASCA
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60143

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			OFFICEMAX INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000012978
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	WHOLESALE-PAPER AND PAPER PRODUCTS [5110]
		IRS NUMBER:				820100960
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		150 PIERCE ROAD
		CITY:			ITASCA
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60143
		BUSINESS PHONE:		(630) 773-5000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		150 PIERCE ROAD
		CITY:			ITASCA
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60143

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	BOISE CASCADE CORP
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19920703
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3/A
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3/A</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2005-03-04</periodOfReport>

    <dateOfOriginalSubmission>2004-11-02</dateOfOriginalSubmission>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000012978</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>OFFICEMAX INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>OMX</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001307542</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Rowsey Michael D</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>OFFICEMAX INCORPORATED</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>150 PIERCE ROAD</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>ITASCA</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>IL</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>60143</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>President-Contract</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Phantom Stock Units</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F4"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>3424.4108</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The Form 3 filed for Mr. Rowsey on November 2, 2004, inadvertently omitted Mr. Rowsey's ownership of 3,424.4108 stock units held through the company's Executive Savings Deferral Plan.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Vested in participant stock units (and related dividend equivalent stock units) at all times.  Company matching stock units (and related dividend equivalent stock units) vest as follows:  (a) 100% upon participant's death, disability, or early or normal retirement; (b) 100% upon a change in control of the company; (c) 100% upon involuntary termination for reasons other than disciplinary reasons or termination as a result of the sale or permanent closure of a company facility, operating unit, or division; and (d) 20% on each anniversary of the date account was first credited with stock units under the plan.  20% is cumulative -- after 5 years, participant is completely vested in all stock units in his or her account, including any stock units allocated to the account in the future.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Shares of phantom stock are payable in shares of common stock in accordance with the participant's Deferred Compensation Distribution Election Agreement, except in the case of a change in control, in which case payment may be made in either cash or stock.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">Each phantom stock unit is equal in value to one share of the company's common stock.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Michael D. Rowsey</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-03-04</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----