<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-02-27</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000946486</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>DISCOVERY LABORATORIES INC /DE/</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>DSCO</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001067985</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>CAPETOLA ROBERT J</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>DISCOVERY LABORATORIES INC</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>3359 DURHAM RD</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>DOYLESTOWN</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>PA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>18901</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>President and CEO</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Long Put (Right to Sell)</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>0</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-02-27</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>J</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>472269</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2006-02-27</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2006-02-27</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>472269</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>472269</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">On February 27, 2004, Dr. Capetola entered into a two-year variable prepaid forward contract.  At maturity on February 27, 2006, Dr. Capetola will deliver a minimum of 377,825 shares of Common Stock up to a maximum of 472,269 shares of Common Stock, based on the closing sale price of the Common Stock on February 27, 2006.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">At Dr. Capetola's option, he may deliver cash in the amount equivalent to the value of the required number of shares at maturity.  Dr. Capetola received net proceeds of $4,774,639.59 relating to such contract.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Robert J. Capetola</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-03-02</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

