-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
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,
 KxvqZ078UGRTaSJyNyJgj+kq4ifENmQH8D6XZseu8XsHWS2T9Tx40Q3wN4GWBY4B
 3RnFDMKrY9dwMPJ1TJVXzw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000807249-03-000163.txt : 20030715
<SEC-HEADER>0000807249-03-000163.hdr.sgml : 20030715
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030715112023
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000807249-03-000163
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		2
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030714
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030715

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			GABELLI GROUP CAPITAL PARTNERS INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001238894
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			NY
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-08351
		FILM NUMBER:		03786541

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE CORPORATE CENTER
		CITY:			RYE
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10580
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9149215100

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ROTO-ROOTER INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000019584
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	WHOLESALE-CHEMICALS & ALLIED PRODUCTS [5160]
		IRS NUMBER:				310791746
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2600 CHEMED CTR
		STREET 2:		255 E FIFTH ST
		CITY:			CINCINNATI
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			45202
		BUSINESS PHONE:		5137626900

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2600 CHEMED CTR
		STREET 2:		255 E FIFTH STREET
		CITY:			CINCINNATI
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			45202

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	CHEMED CORP
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19920703

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			GABELLI ASSET MANAGEMENT INC ET AL
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000807249
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			NY
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1031

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-08351
		FILM NUMBER:		03786540

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE CORPORATE CENTER
		CITY:			RYE
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10580-1434
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9149215128

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		GABELLI FUNDS
		STREET 2:		ONE CORPORATE CENTER
		CITY:			RYE
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10580

	FORMER NAME:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	GABELLI FUNDS INC ET AL
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19940714

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			GABELLI MARIO J
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001185533

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-08351
		FILM NUMBER:		03786542

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O GABELLI ASSET MANAGEMENT INC
		STREET 2:		ONE CORPORATE CENTER
		CITY:			RYE
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			16580
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9149215017

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O GABELLI ASSET MANAGEMENT INC
		STREET 2:		ONE CORPORATE CENTER
		CITY:			RYE
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10580
</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>2003-07-14</periodOfReport>


    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000019584</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>ROTO-ROOTER INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>RRR</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001185533</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>GABELLI MARIO J</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>
    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001238894</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>GABELLI GROUP CAPITAL PARTNERS 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>
    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0000807249</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>GABELLI ASSET MANAGEMENT INC ET AL</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</value>
        </securityTitle>
        <transactionDate>
            <value>2003-07-14</value>
        </transactionDate>
        <transactionCoding>
            <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
            <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
            <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
        </transactionCoding>
        <transactionTimeliness>
            <value></value>
        </transactionTimeliness>
        <transactionAmounts>
            <transactionShares>
                <value>2500</value>
            </transactionShares>
            <transactionValue>
                <value>38.9344</value>
            </transactionValue>
            <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                <value>D</value>
            </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
        </transactionAmounts>
        <postTransactionAmounts>
            <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                <value>35000</value>
            </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
        </postTransactionAmounts>
        <ownershipNature>
            <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <value>I</value>
            </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            <natureOfOwnership>
                <value>By: Investment Partnership</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </natureOfOwnership>
        </ownershipNature>
    </nonDerivativeSecurity>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Each of the Reporting Persons has less than a 100% interest in this entity.  The amount of securities reported as beneficially owned reflects the total amount held by this entity, which is greater than the Reporting Persons' indirect pecuniary interests.  The Reporting Persons hereby disclaim benefical ownership of those securities in excess of their indirect pecuniary interests.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>James E. McKee, Attorney-in-Fact for MARIO J. GABELLI, and Secretary of GABELLI ASSET MANAGEMENT INC., GABELLI GROUP CAPITAL PARTNERS, INC.</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2003-07-15</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-99
<SEQUENCE>3
<FILENAME>frmtch4rrr.txt
<TEXT>
Attachment to Form 4

Issuer & Ticker Symbol:	Roto-Rooter, Inc./RRR


Statement For:			July 14, 2003


	Designated Filer:			GABELLI ASSET MANAGEMENT INC.

	List of Joint Filers:		GABELLI GROUP CAPITAL PARTNERS, INC.
						One Corporate Center
						Rye, New York 10580


						MARIO J. GABELLI
						One Corporate Center
						Rye, New York 10580







Page 3 of 3

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