-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 T5bVxiY2uvwigcMM0dRl6cVdQ7jTm3goIy2CCGc5pqjCUNvm7XDCjAVtld069A4F
 n0J7AePxx3ttpV3OlSl9rA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001259927-03-000001.txt : 20030915
<SEC-HEADER>0001259927-03-000001.hdr.sgml : 20030915
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030915094948
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001259927-03-000001
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030911
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030915

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			LASRY MARC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001259927

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-13323
		FILM NUMBER:		03894892

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O AVENUE CAPITAL
		STREET 2:		535 MADISON AVE 15TH
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10022

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			DARLING INTERNATIONAL INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000916540
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	FATS & OILS [2070]
		IRS NUMBER:				362495346
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0103

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		251 O CONNOR RIDGE BLVD
		STREET 2:		STE 300
		CITY:			IRVING
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			75038
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9727170300

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		251 OCONNOR RIDGE BLVD
		STREET 2:		#300
		CITY:			IRVING
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			75038
</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>2003-09-11</periodOfReport>


    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000916540</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>DARLING INTERNATIONAL INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>DAR</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001259927</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>LASRY MARC</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O AVENUE CAPITAL</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>535 MADISON AVE 15TH</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10022</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>

        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common stock, $0.01 par value per share</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2003-09-11</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>3000000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>2.5</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>9038530</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>See Explanation of Responses</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>

    </nonDerivativeTable>


    <remarks>The securities beneficially owned by the reporting person following the reported transaction are held directly by (i) Avenue Investments, LP, a private investment partnership (Fund I); (ii) Avenue Special Situation Fund II, LP, a private investment partnership (Fund II); (ii) Avenue Special Situation Fund III, LP, a private investment partnership (Fund III); and (iv) Avenue International, Ltd., a private offshore investment entity (the Offshore Fund).  The reporting person is the managing member of (i) the general partner of Fund I; (ii) the managing member of each of the general partners of Funds II and III; and (iii) the investment adviser of the Offshore Fund.  The reporting person is deemed to be the indirect beneficial owner of the securities reported by reason of his ability to direct the vote and/or disposition of such securities, and his pecuniary interest in such shares (within the meaning of Rule 16a-1(a)(2) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) is a fractional interes
t in such amount.  The reporting person disclaims beneficial ownership of any and all such amounts in excess of such actual pecuniary interest.</remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Marc Lasry</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2003-09-12</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>

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