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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 TNmlGfFd1K95o0ywtE1WRvzGagwDY9BPYtiUhyyzmcfldNdwngmubQPVdx4T/4AB
 pbdBblFmbZDBoBXuGVIcbw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000216085-03-000028.txt : 20031103
<SEC-HEADER>0000216085-03-000028.hdr.sgml : 20031103
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20031103155811
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000216085-03-000028
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20031031
FILED AS OF DATE:		20031103

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			TRUJILLO ALFREDO
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001268773

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-14445
		FILM NUMBER:		03973105

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		HAVERTY FURNITURE COMPANIES INC
		STREET 2:		780 JOHNSON FERRY RD.
		CITY:			ATLANTA
		STATE:			GA
		ZIP:			30342
		BUSINESS PHONE:		4044432900

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			HAVERTY FURNITURE COMPANIES INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000216085
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	RETAIL-FURNITURE STORES [5712]
		IRS NUMBER:				580281900
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			MD
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		780 JOHNSON FERRY ROAD
		STREET 2:		SUITE 800
		CITY:			ATLANTA
		STATE:			GA
		ZIP:			30342
		BUSINESS PHONE:		404-443-2900

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		780 JOHNSON FERRY ROAD
		STREET 2:		SUITE 800
		CITY:			ATLANTA
		STATE:			GA
		ZIP:			30342
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>

<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2003-10-31</periodOfReport>


    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000216085</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>HAVERTY FURNITURE COMPANIES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>HVT</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001268773</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>TRUJILLO ALFREDO</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>780 JOHNSON FERRY RD.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 800</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>ATLANTA</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>GA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>30342</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>

        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Options (Right to buy)</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>20.75</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2003-10-31</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>6000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>20.75</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2003-10-31</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2013-10-31</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>6000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>6000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>

    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Pursuant to Haverty Furniture Companies, Inc. 1998 Stock Option Plan</footnote>
    </footnotes>


    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Alfredo Trujillo</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2003-11-03</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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