-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 RoS/WylSqbE8/4tIg22HmT620UJKg5QwxqUZGN//5kG9F2DRDmpgUM0ZkGgtone9
 AEI0anyrsFt2XUuicuVcsQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000006885-03-000028.txt : 20030530
<SEC-HEADER>0000006885-03-000028.hdr.sgml : 20030530
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030530171042
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000006885-03-000028
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030529
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030530

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			WUENSCH RONALD W
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001182215

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-14035
		FILM NUMBER:		03726578

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		3239 HICKORY BROOK LANE
		CITY:			KINGWOOD
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77345
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7135205001

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			STAGE STORES INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000006885
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	RETAIL-FAMILY CLOTHING STORES [5651]
		IRS NUMBER:				911826900
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			NV
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0130

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		10201 MAIN ST
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77025
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7136675601

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		10201 MAIN STREET
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77025

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	APPAREL RETAILERS INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19930908

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	TEXTILE DISTRIBUTORS INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19690521
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>

<ownershipDocument>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2003-05-29</periodOfReport>


    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000006885</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>STAGE STORES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>STGS</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001182215</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>WUENSCH RONALD W</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>  </rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>  </rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>  </rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>  </rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>  </rptOwnerZipCode>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeSecurity>
        <securityTitle>
            <value>Stock Options (right to buy)</value>
        </securityTitle>
        <conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <value>22.18</value>
        </conversionOrExercisePrice>
        <transactionDate>
            <value>2003-05-29</value>
        </transactionDate>
        <transactionCoding>
            <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
            <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
            <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
        </transactionCoding>
        <transactionTimeliness>
            <value></value>
        </transactionTimeliness>
        <transactionAmounts>
            <transactionShares>
                <value>2500</value>
            </transactionShares>
            <transactionValue>
                <value>0</value>
            </transactionValue>
            <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                <value>A</value>
            </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
        </transactionAmounts>
        <exerciseDate>
            <value>2005-05-29</value>
            <footnoteId id="F1"/>
        </exerciseDate>
        <expirationDate>
            <value>2013-05-29</value>
            <footnoteId id="F1"/>
        </expirationDate>
        <underlyingSecurity>
            <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock, $.01 par value</value>
            </underlyingSecurityTitle>
            <underlyingSecurityShares>
                <value>2500</value>
            </underlyingSecurityShares>
        </underlyingSecurity>
        <postTransactionAmounts>
            <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                <value>22500</value>
            </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
        </postTransactionAmounts>
        <ownershipNature>
            <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <value>D</value>
            </directOrIndirectOwnership>
        </ownershipNature>
    </derivativeSecurity>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The term of this stock option is ten (10) years from the date of the grant of the stock option (the &quot;Option Term&quot;).  The stock option may not be exercised after the expiration of its Option Term (May 29, 2013).  The stock option shall vest and become exercisable by Director according to the following: (1) 2 years from the date of grant (May 29, 2005), 50% of option shares may be exercised and (2) 4 years from the date of grant (May 29, 2007), 100% of the option shares may be exercised.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Ronald Wuensch</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2003-05-30</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>

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