<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-04-27</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000837173</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>WALTER INDUSTRIES INC /NEW/</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>WLT</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001081715</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>ROBERTS GEORGE R</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O KOHLBERG KRAVIS ROBERTS &amp; CO.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>9 WEST 57TH STREET, SUITE 4200</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10019</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001192062</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>RAETHER PAUL E</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O KOHLBERG KRAVIS ROBERTS &amp; CO.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>9 WEST 57TH STREET, SUITE 4200</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10019</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001182415</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>MICHELSON MICHAEL W</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O KOHLBERG KRAVIS ROBERTS &amp; CO.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>9 WEST 57TH STREET, SUITE 4200</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10019</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001206780</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>GILHULY EDWARD A</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O KOHLBERG KRAVIS ROBERTS &amp; CO.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>9 WEST 57TH STREET, SUITE 4200</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10019</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001205970</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>GREENE JAMES H JR</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O KOHLBERG KRAVIS ROBERTS &amp; CO.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>9 WEST 57TH STREET, SUITE 4200</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10019</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001081714</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>KRAVIS HENRY R</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O KOHLBERG KRAVIS ROBERTS &amp; CO.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>9 WEST 57TH STREET, SUITE 4200</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10019</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001081716</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>STUART SCOTT M</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O KOHLBERG KRAVIS ROBERTS &amp; CO.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>9 WEST 57TH STREET, SUITE 4200</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10019</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0000901651</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>KKR ASSOCIATES</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O KOHLBERG KRAVIS ROBERTS &amp; CO.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>9 WEST 57TH STREET, SUITE 4200</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10019</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001206581</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>GOLKIN PERRY</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O KOHLBERG KRAVIS ROBERTS &amp; CO.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>9 WEST 57TH STREET, SUITE 4200</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10019</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock, par value $.01 per share</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-04-27</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>J</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>1940113</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>12.5</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>5467243</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>See Notes</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F6"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock, par value $.01 per share</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-04-27</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>J</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>12856</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>12.5</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>36227</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>See Notes</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F6"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock, par value $.01 per share</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-04-27</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>J</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>47031</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>12.5</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>132535</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>See Notes</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F4"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F6"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock, par value $.01 per share</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>4361800</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>See Notes</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F5"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F6"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Sale to the Issuer pursuant to the Stock Repurchase Agreement, dated April 22, 2004.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">These shares are directly owned by JWC Associates, L.P.  (&quot;JWC&quot;).  KKR Associates, L.P. (&quot;KKR Associates&quot;) is the sole general partner of JWC.  Henry R. Kravis, George R. Roberts, Michael W. Michelson, Paul E. Raether, James H. Greene, Jr., Perry Golkin, Scott M. Stewart and Edward A. Gilhuly are the general partners of KKR Associates.  Therefore, each of KKR Associates, Henry R. Kravis, George R. Roberts, Michael W. Michelson, Paul E. Raether, James H. Greene, Jr., Perry Golkin, Scott M. Stewart and Edward A. Gilhuly may be deemed to beneficially own the Common Stock owned by JWC.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">These shares are directly owned by JWC Associates II, L.P.  (&quot;JWC II&quot;).  KKR Associates is the sole general partner of JWC II.  Henry R. Kravis, George R. Roberts, Michael W. Michelson, Paul E. Raether, James H. Greene, Jr., Perry Golkin, Scott M. Stewart and Edward A. Gilhuly are the general partners of KKR Associates.  Therefore, each of KKR Associates, Henry R. Kravis, George R. Roberts, Michael W. Michelson, Paul E. Raether, James H. Greene, Jr., Perry Golkin, Scott M. Stewart and Edward A. Gilhuly may be deemed to beneficially own the Common Stock owned by JWC II.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">These shares are directly owned by KKR Partners II, L.P.  (&quot;KKR Partners&quot;).  KKR Associates is the sole general partner of KKR Partners.  Henry R. Kravis, George R. Roberts, Michael W. Michelson, Paul E. Raether, James H. Greene, Jr., Perry Golkin, Scott M. Stewart and Edward A. Gilhuly are the general partners of KKR Associates.  Therefore, each of KKR Associates, Henry R. Kravis, George R. Roberts, Michael W. Michelson, Paul E. Raether, James H. Greene, Jr., Perry Golkin, Scott M. Stewart and Edward A. Gilhuly may be deemed to beneficially own the Common Stock owned by KKR Partners.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F5">These shares are directly owned by Channel One Associates, L.P. (&quot;Channel One&quot;).  KKR Associates is the sole general partner of Channel One.  Henry R. Kravis, George R. Roberts, Michael W. Michelson, Paul E. Raether, James H. Greene, Jr., Perry Golkin, Scott M. Stewart and Edward A. Gilhuly are the general partners of KKR Associates.  Therefore, each of KKR Associates, Henry R. Kravis, George R. Roberts, Michael W. Michelson, Paul E. Raether, James H. Greene, Jr., Perry Golkin, Scott M. Stewart and Edward A. Gilhuly may be deemed to beneficially own the Common Stock owned by Channel One.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F6">Pursuant to Rule 16a-1(4) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, each of the Reporting Persons states that the reporting of beneficial ownership herein shall not be deemed an admission that he or it is the beneficial owner of any of the securities covered by this Statement.  Each of KKR Associates, Henry R. Kravis, George R. Roberts, Michael W. Michelson, Paul E. Raether, James H. Greene, Jr., Perry Golkin, Scott M. Stewart and Edward A. Gilhuly disclaims beneficial ownership of the Common Stock directly owned by JWC, JWC II, KKR Partners and Channel One, except to the extent of his or its pecuniary interest.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks>One of the Reporting Persons, Perry Golkin, is also a director of the Issuer. Exhibits 24.1-24.9 Powers of Attorney</remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Richard J. Kreider, Attorney-in-Fact for KKR Associates, L.P.</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-04-29</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Richard J. Kreider, Attorney-in-Fact for Henry R. Kravis</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-04-29</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Richard J. Kreider, Attorney-in-Fact for George R. Roberts</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-04-29</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Richard J. Kreider, Attorney-in-Fact for Paul E. Raether</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-04-29</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Richard J. Kreider, Attorney-in-Fact for Michael W. Michelson</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-04-29</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Richard J. Kreider, Attorney-in-Fact for Edward A. Gilhuly</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-04-29</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Richard J. Kreider, Attorney-in-Fact for Perry Golkin</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-04-29</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Richard J. Kreider, Attorney-in-Fact for Scott M. Stuart</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-04-29</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Richard J. Kreider, Attorney-in-Factfor James H. Greene, Jr.</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-04-29</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

