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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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 uugzjzkwwf5B3P+N38MwQQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000750813-05-000108.txt : 20050611
<SEC-HEADER>0000750813-05-000108.hdr.sgml : 20050611
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20050603184611
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000750813-05-000108
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20050601
FILED AS OF DATE:		20050603
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20050603

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			SEITEL INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000750813
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	OIL AND GAS FIELD EXPLORATION SERVICES [1382]
		IRS NUMBER:				760025431
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		10811 S. WESTVIEW CIRCLE
		STREET 2:		BUILDING C, SUITE 100
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77043
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7138818900

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		10811 S. WESTVIEW CIRCLE
		STREET 2:		BUILDING C, SUITE 100
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77043

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	SEISMIC ENTERPRISES INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19870814

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			KELLEY ROBERT
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001106716

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-10165
		FILM NUMBER:		05878828

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		333 WEST MAIN, SUITE 300
		STREET 2:		NEUSTADT PLAZA
		CITY:			ARDMORE
		STATE:			OK
		ZIP:			73401
		BUSINESS PHONE:		5802240200

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		KELLCO INVESTMENTS INC.
		STREET 2:		PO BOX 1507
		CITY:			ARDMORE
		STATE:			OK
		ZIP:			73401
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2005-06-01</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>1</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000750813</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>SEITEL INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>SELA</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001106716</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>KELLEY ROBERT</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>KELLCO INVESTMENTS INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>PO BOX 1507</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>ARDMORE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>OK</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>73401</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>1</isOther>
            <otherText>Former Director</otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock, par value $.01 per share</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2005-06-01</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>D</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>8064</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>15757</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Represents shares of unvested restricted stock that lapsed and for which waiver of forfeiture was not granted in connection with Mr. Kelley's resignation.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Robert Kelley by /s/ Marcia H. Kendrick</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-06-03</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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