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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 Cmivj5wek7Bxn3McxBt2YC9xHNT04DYFDBwGITIn3e74Kolb/+fbI4ZyLvyitl68
 ie4UGusBogzXJXtheOfSMA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000075362-03-000103.txt : 20030521
<SEC-HEADER>0000075362-03-000103.hdr.sgml : 20030521
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030520183304
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000075362-03-000103
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030520
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030521

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			RUSH ENTERPRISES INC \TX\
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001012019
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	RETAIL-AUTO DEALERS & GASOLINE STATIONS [5500]
		IRS NUMBER:				741733016
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			TX
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		8810 I H 10 EAST
		CITY:			SAN ANTONIO
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			78218
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2106614511

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		8810 I H 10 EAST
		CITY:			SAN ANTONIO
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			78218

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			PACCAR INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000075362
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	MOTOR VEHICLES & PASSENGER CAR BODIES [3711]
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-20797
		FILM NUMBER:		03713509

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		777 106TH AVE NE
		STREET 2:		PO BOX 1518
		CITY:			BELLEVUE
		STATE:			WA
		ZIP:			98004
		BUSINESS PHONE:		4254557383

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		777 106TH AVENUE NE
		STREET 2:		PO BOX 1518
		CITY:			BELLEVUE
		STATE:			WA
		ZIP:			98004

	FORMER NAME:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	PACIFIC CAR & FOUNDRY CO
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19720707
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>

<ownershipDocument>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2003-05-20</periodOfReport>


    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001012019</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>RUSH ENTERPRISES INC \TX\</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>RUSHB</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0000075362</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>PACCAR INC</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>  </rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>  </rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>  </rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>  </rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>  </rptOwnerZipCode>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeSecurity>
        <securityTitle>
            <value>COMMON STOCK CLASS B</value>
        </securityTitle>
        <transactionDate>
            <value>2003-05-20</value>
        </transactionDate>
        <transactionCoding>
            <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
            <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
            <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
        </transactionCoding>
        <transactionTimeliness>
            <value></value>
        </transactionTimeliness>
        <transactionAmounts>
            <transactionShares>
                <value>5000</value>
            </transactionShares>
            <transactionValue>
                <value>4.4</value>
            </transactionValue>
            <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                <value>D</value>
            </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
        </transactionAmounts>
        <postTransactionAmounts>
            <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                <value>905000</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
        </postTransactionAmounts>
        <ownershipNature>
            <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <value>D</value>
            </directOrIndirectOwnership>
        </ownershipNature>
    </nonDerivativeSecurity>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The Issuer has two classes of common stock, A and B.  Class A common stock trades as RUSHA and the Class B common stock trades as RUSHB.  The Reporting Person also owns 837,000 shares of RUSHA.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/Mary F. Scott, Authorized Representative</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2003-05-20</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>

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