<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>
    <periodOfReport>2003-10-28</periodOfReport>
    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>
    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000320187</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>NIKE INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>nke</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0000903855</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>KNIGHT PHILIP H</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>ONE BOWERMAN DRIVE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>BEAVERTON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>OR</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>97005</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>President and CEO</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>
  <nonDerivativeTable>
    <nonDerivativeHolding>
      <securityTitle>
          <value>Class B Common Stock</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
          <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
              <value>7494</value>
              <footnoteId id="F1" />
          </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
          <directOrIndirectOwnership>
              <value>D</value>
          </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
   </nonDerivativeHolding>
   <nonDerivativeTransaction>
      <securityTitle>
          <value>Class B Common Stock</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <transactionDate>
          <value>2003-10-28</value>
      </transactionDate>
      <deemedExecutionDate>
          <value>2003-10-28</value>
      </deemedExecutionDate>
      <transactionCoding>
          <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
          <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
          <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
      </transactionCoding>
      <transactionTimeliness>
      <value />
      </transactionTimeliness>
      <transactionAmounts>
          <transactionShares>
              <value>6600</value>
              <footnoteId id="F2" />
              <footnoteId id="F3" />
          </transactionShares>
          <transactionPricePerShare>
              <value>63.77</value>
          </transactionPricePerShare>
          <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
              <value>D</value>
          </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
      </transactionAmounts>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
          <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
              <value>5760700</value>
          </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
          <directOrIndirectOwnership>
              <value>I</value>
          </directOrIndirectOwnership>
          <natureOfOwnership>
              <value>By Trust</value>
              <footnoteId id="F4" />
          </natureOfOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
   </nonDerivativeTransaction>
   <nonDerivativeTransaction>
      <securityTitle>
          <value>Class B Common Stock</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <transactionDate>
          <value>2003-10-28</value>
      </transactionDate>
      <deemedExecutionDate>
          <value>2003-10-28</value>
      </deemedExecutionDate>
      <transactionCoding>
          <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
          <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
          <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
      </transactionCoding>
      <transactionTimeliness>
      <value />
      </transactionTimeliness>
      <transactionAmounts>
          <transactionShares>
              <value>7900</value>
              <footnoteId id="F3" />
          </transactionShares>
          <transactionPricePerShare>
              <value>63.78</value>
          </transactionPricePerShare>
          <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
              <value>D</value>
          </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
      </transactionAmounts>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
          <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
              <value>5752800</value>
          </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
          <directOrIndirectOwnership>
              <value>I</value>
          </directOrIndirectOwnership>
          <natureOfOwnership>
              <value>By Trust</value>
              <footnoteId id="F4" />
          </natureOfOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
   </nonDerivativeTransaction>
   <nonDerivativeTransaction>
      <securityTitle>
          <value>Class B Common Stock</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <transactionDate>
          <value>2003-10-28</value>
      </transactionDate>
      <deemedExecutionDate>
          <value>2003-10-28</value>
      </deemedExecutionDate>
      <transactionCoding>
          <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
          <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
          <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
      </transactionCoding>
      <transactionTimeliness>
      <value />
      </transactionTimeliness>
      <transactionAmounts>
          <transactionShares>
              <value>6000</value>
              <footnoteId id="F3" />
          </transactionShares>
          <transactionPricePerShare>
              <value>63.79</value>
          </transactionPricePerShare>
          <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
              <value>D</value>
          </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
      </transactionAmounts>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
          <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
              <value>5746800</value>
          </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
          <directOrIndirectOwnership>
              <value>I</value>
          </directOrIndirectOwnership>
          <natureOfOwnership>
              <value>By Trust</value>
              <footnoteId id="F4" />
          </natureOfOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
   </nonDerivativeTransaction>
   <nonDerivativeTransaction>
      <securityTitle>
          <value>Class B Common Stock</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <transactionDate>
          <value>2003-10-28</value>
      </transactionDate>
      <deemedExecutionDate>
          <value>2003-10-28</value>
      </deemedExecutionDate>
      <transactionCoding>
          <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
          <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
          <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
      </transactionCoding>
      <transactionTimeliness>
      <value />
      </transactionTimeliness>
      <transactionAmounts>
          <transactionShares>
              <value>4300</value>
              <footnoteId id="F3" />
          </transactionShares>
          <transactionPricePerShare>
              <value>63.80</value>
          </transactionPricePerShare>
          <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
              <value>D</value>
          </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
      </transactionAmounts>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
          <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
              <value>5742500</value>
          </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
          <directOrIndirectOwnership>
              <value>I</value>
          </directOrIndirectOwnership>
          <natureOfOwnership>
              <value>By Trust</value>
              <footnoteId id="F4" />
          </natureOfOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
   </nonDerivativeTransaction>
   <nonDerivativeTransaction>
      <securityTitle>
          <value>Class B Common Stock</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <transactionDate>
          <value>2003-10-28</value>
      </transactionDate>
      <deemedExecutionDate>
          <value>2003-10-28</value>
      </deemedExecutionDate>
      <transactionCoding>
          <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
          <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
          <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
      </transactionCoding>
      <transactionTimeliness>
      <value />
      </transactionTimeliness>
      <transactionAmounts>
          <transactionShares>
              <value>3700</value>
              <footnoteId id="F3" />
          </transactionShares>
          <transactionPricePerShare>
              <value>63.81</value>
          </transactionPricePerShare>
          <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
              <value>D</value>
          </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
      </transactionAmounts>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
          <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
              <value>5738800</value>
          </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
          <directOrIndirectOwnership>
              <value>I</value>
          </directOrIndirectOwnership>
          <natureOfOwnership>
              <value>By Trust</value>
              <footnoteId id="F4" />
          </natureOfOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
   </nonDerivativeTransaction>
   <nonDerivativeTransaction>
      <securityTitle>
          <value>Class B Common Stock</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <transactionDate>
          <value>2003-10-28</value>
      </transactionDate>
      <deemedExecutionDate>
          <value>2003-10-28</value>
      </deemedExecutionDate>
      <transactionCoding>
          <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
          <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
          <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
      </transactionCoding>
      <transactionTimeliness>
      <value />
      </transactionTimeliness>
      <transactionAmounts>
          <transactionShares>
              <value>2000</value>
              <footnoteId id="F3" />
          </transactionShares>
          <transactionPricePerShare>
              <value>63.82</value>
          </transactionPricePerShare>
          <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
              <value>D</value>
          </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
      </transactionAmounts>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
          <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
              <value>5736800</value>
          </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
          <directOrIndirectOwnership>
              <value>I</value>
          </directOrIndirectOwnership>
          <natureOfOwnership>
              <value>By Trust</value>
              <footnoteId id="F4" />
          </natureOfOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
   </nonDerivativeTransaction>
  </nonDerivativeTable>
  <derivativeTable>
    <derivativeHolding>
      <securityTitle>
          <value>Class A Common Stock</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <conversionOrExercisePrice>
              <footnoteId id="F5" />
      </conversionOrExercisePrice>
      <exerciseDate>
              <footnoteId id="F5" />
      </exerciseDate>
      <expirationDate>
              <footnoteId id="F5" />
      </expirationDate>
      <underlyingSecurity>
          <underlyingSecurityTitle>
              <value>Class B Common Stock</value>
          </underlyingSecurityTitle>
          <underlyingSecurityShares>
              <footnoteId id="F5" />
          </underlyingSecurityShares>
      </underlyingSecurity>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
          <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
              <value>71655047</value>
          </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
          <directOrIndirectOwnership>
              <value>D</value>
          </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
   </derivativeHolding>
    <derivativeHolding>
      <securityTitle>
          <value>Class A Common Stock</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <conversionOrExercisePrice>
              <footnoteId id="F5" />
      </conversionOrExercisePrice>
      <exerciseDate>
              <footnoteId id="F5" />
      </exerciseDate>
      <expirationDate>
              <footnoteId id="F5" />
      </expirationDate>
      <underlyingSecurity>
          <underlyingSecurityTitle>
              <value>Class B Common Stock</value>
          </underlyingSecurityTitle>
          <underlyingSecurityShares>
              <footnoteId id="F5" />
          </underlyingSecurityShares>
      </underlyingSecurity>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
          <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
              <value>65224</value>
          </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
          <directOrIndirectOwnership>
              <value>I</value>
          </directOrIndirectOwnership>
          <natureOfOwnership>
              <value>Indirectly Held (Corp)</value>
              <footnoteId id="F6" />
          </natureOfOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
   </derivativeHolding>
    <derivativeHolding>
      <securityTitle>
          <value>Class A Common Stock</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <conversionOrExercisePrice>
              <footnoteId id="F5" />
      </conversionOrExercisePrice>
      <exerciseDate>
              <footnoteId id="F5" />
      </exerciseDate>
      <expirationDate>
              <footnoteId id="F5" />
      </expirationDate>
      <underlyingSecurity>
          <underlyingSecurityTitle>
              <value>Class B Common Stock</value>
          </underlyingSecurityTitle>
          <underlyingSecurityShares>
              <footnoteId id="F5" />
          </underlyingSecurityShares>
      </underlyingSecurity>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
          <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
              <value>3422</value>
          </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
          <directOrIndirectOwnership>
              <value>I</value>
          </directOrIndirectOwnership>
          <natureOfOwnership>
              <value>Indirectly Held (LP)</value>
              <footnoteId id="F7" />
          </natureOfOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
   </derivativeHolding>
  </derivativeTable>
<footnotes>
   <footnote id="F1">Includes 1859 shares granted under the NIKE, Inc. Long Term Incentive Plan.          </footnote>
   <footnote id="F2">This Form 4 contains the last six of eighty-one transactions that were executed on October 28, 2003. Three forms containing the first seventy-five transactions executed on October 28, 2003 were filed immediately prior to this form.                   </footnote>
   <footnote id="F3">Transaction pursuant to a Rule 10b5-1 Trading Plan.</footnote>
   <footnote id="F4">Shares held by charitable remainder trust of which reporting person is a trustee and he and his wife are lifetime beneficiaries.  The reporting person disclaims any beneficial ownership interest except to the extent of his and his wife's pecuniary interest therein.          </footnote>
   <footnote id="F5">Class A Common Stock is convertible at any time on a one-for-one basis into Class B Common Stock with no expiration date.
  </footnote>
   <footnote id="F6">Shares held by a corporation owned by wife. The reporting person disclaims beneficial ownership of these securities and this report shall not be deemed an admission that the reporting person is the beneficial owner of such securities for purposes of Section 16 or any other purpose.          </footnote>
   <footnote id="F7">Shares held by a limited partnership in which a corporation owned by wife is a co-general partner.  The reporting person disclaims beneficial ownership of these securities and this report shall not be deemed an admission that the reporting person is the beneficial owner of such securities for purposes of Section 16 or any other purpose.          </footnote>
</footnotes>
<remarks></remarks>    <ownerSignature>
       <signatureName>/s/John F. Coburn III on behalf of Philip H. Knight</signatureName>
       <signatureDate>2003-10-30</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

