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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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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000007694-03-000161.txt : 20030917
<SEC-HEADER>0000007694-03-000161.hdr.sgml : 20030917
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030917164434
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000007694-03-000161
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030915
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030917

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ASHLAND INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000007694
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	WHOLESALE-CHEMICALS & ALLIED PRODUCTS [5160]
		IRS NUMBER:				610122250
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			KY
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0930

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		50 E. RIVERCENTER BOULEVARD
		CITY:			COVINGTON
		STATE:			KY
		ZIP:			41012
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6068153333

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		50 E. RIVERCENTER BOULEVARD
		CITY:			COVINGTON
		STATE:			KY
		ZIP:			41012

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	ASHLAND OIL INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19920703

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	ASHLAND OIL & REFINING CO
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19700806

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			PFEIFFER JANE C
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001026062

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-02918
		FILM NUMBER:		03899839

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		REPUBLIC BANK CENTER
		STREET 2:		700 LOUISIANNA, SUITE 3920
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77002
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6063293333

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		REPUBLIC BANK CENTER
		STREET 2:		700 LOUISIANNA, SUITE 3920
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77002
</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>2003-09-15</periodOfReport>


    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000007694</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>ASHLAND INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>ash</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001026062</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>PFEIFFER JANE C</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>1050 BEACH ROAD</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>APT. 10</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>VERO BEACH</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>FL</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>32963</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>

        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock Units</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2003-09-15</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>J</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>51</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>33.67</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F4"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>51</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>15238</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>

    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Converts to common stock on a one-for-one basis.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Common Stock Units acquired pursuant to Ashland's Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors as of 9-15-03, payable in cash or stock upon termination of service and exempt under Rule 16b-3.  (One (1) common stock unit in the Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors is the equivalent of one (1) share of Ashland Common Stock)</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Common Stock Units acquired pursuant to Ashland's Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors as of 9-15-03, payable in cash or stock upon termination of service and exempt under Rule 16b-3.  (One (1) common stock unit in the Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors is the equivalent of one (1) share of Ashland Common Stock)</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">Common Stock Units acquired pursuant to Ashland's Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors as of 9-15-03, payable in cash or stock upon termination of service and exempt under Rule 16b-3.  (One (1) common stock unit in the Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors is the equivalent of one (1) share of Ashland Common Stock)</footnote>
    </footnotes>


    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>M. Craig Hall, by Power of Attorney</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2003-09-17</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>

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