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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>0001111569-03-000005.txt : 20031007
<SEC-HEADER>0001111569-03-000005.hdr.sgml : 20031007
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20031007153833
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001111569-03-000005
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20031003
FILED AS OF DATE:		20031007

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CRIIMI MAE INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000847322
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS [6798]
		IRS NUMBER:				521622022
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			MD
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		11200 ROCKVILLE PIKE
		CITY:			ROCKVILLE
		STATE:			MD
		ZIP:			20852
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3018162300

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	CRI INSURED MORTGAGE ASSOCIATION INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19920703

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			AZZARA CYNTHIA O
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001111569

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-10360
		FILM NUMBER:		03931484

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		12920 BUCKEYE DR
		CITY:			DARNESTOWN
		STATE:			MD
		ZIP:			20878
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3018162300

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		12920 BUCKEYE DR
		CITY:			DARNESTOWN
		STATE:			MD
		ZIP:			20878
</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>2003-10-03</periodOfReport>


    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000847322</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>CRIIMI MAE INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>CMM</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001111569</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>AZZARA CYNTHIA O</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>12920 BUCKEYE DR</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>DARNESTOWN</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MD</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>20878</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>EVP/CFO/Treasurer</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>

        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2003-10-03</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <deemedExecutionDate>
                <value>2003-10-03</value>
            </deemedExecutionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>13055</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>10.7</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>35012</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>

    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Restricted Stock awarded October 3, 2003 vesting 1/3 on October 3, 2004, 1/3 on October 3, 2005 and 1/3 on October 3, 2006.</footnote>
    </footnotes>


    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/Cynthia O. Azzara/</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2003-10-07</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>

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