<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2011-02-23</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000702325</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>FIRST MIDWEST BANCORP INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>FMBI</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001399159</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Lance Cynthia A</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>ONE PIERCE PLACE, SUITE 1500</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>ITASCA</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>IL</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>60143</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <officerTitle>EVP, Corporate Secretary</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2011-02-23</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>9655</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>35507</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1820</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F4"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>By Profit Sharing Plan Trust</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Long Term Incentive Compensation Restricted Stock Awards (RSAs) granted pursuant to the Restated First Midwest Bancorp, Inc. Omnibus Stock and Incentive Plan.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">The number of shares represented by this award was determined by dividing the dollar value of the award granted to the Reporting Person by $12.07 (the average high and low sale price of one share of the Company's Common Stock on the date of grant). This award will vest in two equal installments, specifically on the second and third anniversaries of the date of grant.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Between May 25, 2010 and February 25, 2011 the Reporting Person acquired 7 shares of First Midwest Bancorp, Inc. Common Stock under the First Midwest Bancorp, Inc. Dividend Reinvestment Plan.  The aggregate information reported in this line item includes such shares as reported in a plan statement dated January 11, 2011.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">Between May 25, 2010 and February 25, 2011 the Reporting Person acquired the following shares of First Midwest Bancorp, Inc. Common Stock under the First Midwest Bancorp, Inc. Savings and Profit Sharing Plan: (a) 84 shares pursuant to quarterly match contributions from the Company; (b) 5 shares pursuant to the Dividend Reinvestment feature of the Plan; and (c) 212 shares pursuant to payroll contributions.  This information is based on plan statements dated January 6, 2011, January 18, 2011 and February 17, 2011, respectively.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Andrea L. Stangl, Attorney-in-fact for Cynthia A. Lance</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2011-02-25</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
