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

    <schemaVersion>X0203</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2010-12-21</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000723458</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>STATE BANCORP INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>stbc</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001509324</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Nigro Thomas</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O STATE BANCORP, INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>2 JERICHO PLAZA</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>JERICHO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>11753</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Director of Retail Banking</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>State Bancorp, Inc. Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>6500</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>State Bancorp, Inc. Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1685.3058</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F4"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>Through ESOP</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>State Bancorp, Inc. Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>200.2142</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F5"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Total includes 2,000 shares of restricted stock granted to Mr. Nigro as part of his 2009 incentive compensation.  Shares are granted under the Company's 2006 Equity Compensation Plan and will vest over a five year period; one-third to vest on April 2, 2013, one-third to vest on April 2, 2014 and the remainder to vest on April 2, 2015.  To date, zero shares have vested.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Total includes 2,000 shares of restricted stock granted to Mr. Nigro as part of his 2008 incentive compensation package.  Shares are granted under the Company's 2006 Equity Compensation Plan and will vest over a five year period; one-third to vest on March 25, 2012, one-third to vest on March 25, 2013 and the remainder to vest on March 25, 2014.  To date, zero shares have vested.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Total includes 2,500 shares of restricted stock granted to Mr. Nigro as part of his 2007 incentive compensation package.  Shares are granted under the Company's 2006 Equity Compensation Plan and will vest over a five year period; one-third to vest on July 28, 2011, one-third to vest on July 28, 2012 and the remainder to vest on July 28, 2013.  To date, zero shares have vested.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">Shares credited to Mr. Nigro under the State Bancorp, Inc. Employee Stock Ownership Plan.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F5">Through Company 401 (K) Matching Program.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Thomas L. Nigro</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2011-01-04</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
