-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 Ry0Pll9r/kli9J7cmuRYsiuXIVrPdPnYy27ldkcQDhj3DxPrulsg4FhCYW8+ql8v
 eMbIXIwVuPWt1XgWruTK/w==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000935703-03-000079.txt : 20030930
<SEC-HEADER>0000935703-03-000079.hdr.sgml : 20030930
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030930090502
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000935703-03-000079
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4/A
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030701
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030930

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			SAUNDERS THOMAS A
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001052600

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4/A
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-25464
		FILM NUMBER:		03916323

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		P O BOX 2500
		CITY:			NORFOLK
		STATE:			VA
		ZIP:			23501-2500
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7573215000

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			DOLLAR TREE STORES INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000935703
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	RETAIL-VARIETY STORES [5331]
		IRS NUMBER:				541387365
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			VA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		500 VOLVO PARKWAY
		STREET 2:		N/A
		CITY:			CHESAPEAKE
		STATE:			VA
		ZIP:			23320
		BUSINESS PHONE:		(757) 321-5000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		500 VOLVO PARKWAY
		CITY:			CHESAPEAKE
		STATE:			VA
		ZIP:			23320
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4/A
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>

<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4/A</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2003-07-01</periodOfReport>

    <dateOfOriginalSubmission>2003-07-03</dateOfOriginalSubmission>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000935703</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>DOLLAR TREE STORES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>DLTR</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001052600</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>SAUNDERS THOMAS A</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>500 VOLVO PARKWAY</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>CHESAPEAKE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>VA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>23320</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>

        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock options</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>31.77</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2003-07-01</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>620</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>10.4895</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2003-07-01</value>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2013-07-01</value>
                <footnoteId id="F4"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>620</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>620</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>

    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Acquired under the 2003 Director Deferred Compensation Plan, in lieu of director's fees for the applicable period.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Amending previously reported number of shares.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Immediately exercisable.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">Options expire at the earlier of one year after ceasing to be a director or ten years after grant.</footnote>
    </footnotes>


    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Frederick C. Coble, attorney-in-fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2003-09-30</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----