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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 jjDUXxDfqPupKWjeov8Dgg==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001222471-04-000001.txt : 20040126
<SEC-HEADER>0001222471-04-000001.hdr.sgml : 20040126
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040126104511
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001222471-04-000001
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040123
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040126

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			FORWARD INDUSTRIES INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000038264
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	PLASTICS PRODUCTS, NEC [3089]
		IRS NUMBER:				131950672
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			NY
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0930

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1801 GREEN ROAD
		STREET 2:		SUITE E
		CITY:			POMPANO BEACH
		STATE:			FL
		ZIP:			33064
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9544199544

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1801 GREEN RD
		STREET 2:		SUITE E
		CITY:			POMPANO BEACH
		STATE:			FL
		ZIP:			33064

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	PROGRESS HEAT SEALING CO INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19721111

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			GALLOWAY BRUCE
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000924483

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-06669
		FILM NUMBER:		04542430

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O BURNHAM SECURITIES
		STREET 2:		1325 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10018
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2126037557

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O BURNHAM SECURITIES
		STREET 2:		1325 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10018
</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>2004-01-23</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000038264</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>FORWARD INDUSTRIES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>FORD</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0000924483</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>GALLOWAY BRUCE</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O BURNHAM SECURITIES</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>1325 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10018</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>FORWARD INDUSTRIES COMMON STOCK</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-01-23</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>8600</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>2.54</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>170420</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>BRUCE GALLOWAY</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-01-26</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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