Document and Entity Information (USD $)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	May 02, 2012
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	RESOURCE AMERICA, INC.
Entity Central Index Key	0000083402
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--09-30
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float	$ 88,286,000
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		19,825,774
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2012