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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 Oqyl4U+EsNWO8V0g+cKbRxwaOKlSDRXKVkZ+pi/dOLI6/awbYkmFzwvs9hnl5e0o
 l+PYMpoEaviVAYFacZA6Pg==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001104659-04-012717.txt : 20040505
<SEC-HEADER>0001104659-04-012717.hdr.sgml : 20040505
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040505183029
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001104659-04-012717
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040503
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040505

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			POWELL BOONE JR
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001232973

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-02189
		FILM NUMBER:		04782833

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		16825 NORTHCHASE DRIVE
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77060

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ABBOTT LABORATORIES
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000001800
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	PHARMACEUTICAL PREPARATIONS [2834]
		IRS NUMBER:				360698440
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			IL
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		100 ABBOTT PARK ROAD
		STREET 2:		D-322 AP6D
		CITY:			ABBOTT PARK
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60064-3500
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8479376100
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>a4.xml
<DESCRIPTION>4
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-05-03</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000001800</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>ABBOTT LABORATORIES</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>ABT</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001232973</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>POWELL BOONE JR</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>9209 WESTVIEW CIRCLE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>DALLAS</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>TX</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>75231</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock equivalent units</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>0</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-05-03</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>4442</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>42.32</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>common shares</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>4442</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>16791</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">A stock equivalent unit account is maintained for the director for the deferral of director fees.  These additional stock equivalent units were credited to that account.  They resulted from the conversion into stock equivalent units of the deemed distribution of Hospira common stock, in connection with the spin-off of Hospira, Inc. from Abbott, based on the closing price of Abbott and Hospira common stock on May 3, 2004.  Units are paid in cash.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Balance includes stock equivalent units acquired pursuant to a dividend reinvestment feature.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>John A. Berry, Attorney-in-Fact for Boone Powell, Jr.</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-05-05</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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