<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

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  <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>
    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000833076</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>GENLYTE GROUP INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>GLYT</issuerTradingSymbol>
  </issuer>
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        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001195747</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>EFTEKHAR ZIA</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>289 LAWRENCE DRIVE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>PORTSMOUTH</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>RI</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>02871</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
      <isDirector>1</isDirector>
      <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
      <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
      <isOther>0</isOther>
    </reportingOwnerRelationship>
  </reportingOwner>
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      <transactionTimeliness>
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      </transactionTimeliness>
      <transactionAmounts>
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        </transactionShares>
        <transactionPricePerShare>
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        </transactionPricePerShare>
        <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
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        </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
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      <postTransactionAmounts>
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        </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
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      <transactionTimeliness>
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      <transactionAmounts>
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        </transactionPricePerShare>
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        </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
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    </nonDerivativeTransaction>
  </nonDerivativeTable>
  <ownerSignature>
    <signatureName>/s/ Zia Eftekhar</signatureName>
    <signatureDate>2003-11-14</signatureDate>
  </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

