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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 WWxc2VPV1xnDshC6QEgehhqe/HbwmD4BOL3fXb+d6FkcVBk8ryUr1VwCDxrWw3fz
 Uyqicm+LSiqtVg8HYoGWIw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000867579-03-000181.txt : 20030509
<SEC-HEADER>0000867579-03-000181.hdr.sgml : 20030509
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030509170707
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000867579-03-000181
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030507
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030509

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			SAFECO CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000086104
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	FIRE, MARINE & CASUALTY INSURANCE [6331]
		IRS NUMBER:				910742146
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			WA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		4333 BROOKLYN AVE NE
		STREET 2:		SAFECO PLAZA
		CITY:			SEATTLE
		STATE:			WA
		ZIP:			98185
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2065455000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		4333 BROOKLYN AVE NE
		CITY:			SEATTLE
		STATE:			WA
		ZIP:			98185

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	GENERAL AMERICA CORP
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19680529

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			RUNSTAD JUDITH M
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001180477

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-06563
		FILM NUMBER:		03690966

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		601 W RIVERSIDE AVE SUITE 1100
		CITY:			SPOKANE
		STATE:			WA
		ZIP:			99201
		BUSINESS PHONE:		5098351512

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		601 W RIVERSIDE AVE SUITE 1100
		CITY:			SPOKANE
		STATE:			WA
		ZIP:			99201
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0101</schemaVersion>

<documentType>4</documentType><periodOfReport>2003-05-07</periodOfReport>
<issuer><issuerCik>0000086104</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>SAFECO CORP</issuerName>
<issuerTradingSymbol>SAFC</issuerTradingSymbol></issuer><reportingOwner><reportingOwnerId><rptOwnerCik>0001180477</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>RUNSTAD JUDITH M</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>  </rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>  </rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>  </rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>  </rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>  </rptOwnerZipCode>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
<reportingOwnerRelationship>
<isDirector>1</isDirector><isOfficer>0</isOfficer><isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner><isOther>0</isOther></reportingOwnerRelationship></reportingOwner><derivativeSecurity><securityTitle><value>Phantom Stock </value><footnoteId id="F1"/></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><value>0</value><footnoteId id="F3"/></conversionOrExercisePrice><transactionDate><value>2003-05-07</value></transactionDate><transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType><transactionCode>A</transactionCode><equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved></transactionCoding><transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>2500</value></transactionShares><transactionValue><value>38.19</value></transactionValue><transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>A</value></transactionAcquiredDisposedCode></transactionAmounts><exerciseDate><value>1988-08-08</value><footnoteId id="F2"/></exerciseDate><expirationDate><value>1988-08-08</value><footnoteId id="F2"/></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common S
tock </value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>2500</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>2500</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value></value></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeSecurity><footnotes><footnote id="F1">Right to receive shares or cash equal to the value thereof, provided the reporting person remains in the issuer's service until specified vesting dates. </footnote><footnote id="F2">Vests on May 5, 2004 and will be settled on the termination date of the reporting person's service as a director of Safeco Corporation. </footnote><footnote id="F3">1 for 1</footnote></footnotes><ownerSignature><signatureName>Catherine Romero Wright, Attorney-in-Fact for Judith M. Runstad </signatureName><signatureDate>2003-05-09</signatureDate></ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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