<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001271163-12-000020.txt : 20120823
<SEC-HEADER>0001271163-12-000020.hdr.sgml : 20120823
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20120823114838
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001271163-12-000020
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20120815
FILED AS OF DATE:		20120823
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20120823

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			GABELLI EQUITY TRUST INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000794685
		IRS NUMBER:				222736509
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			MD
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE CORP CENTER
		CITY:			RYE
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10580
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9149215070

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			HEITMANN WILLIAM F
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001196116

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	811-04700
		FILM NUMBER:		121051435

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1095 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS
		STREET 2:		ROOM 4140
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10036-6797
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0206</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2012-08-15</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>1</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000794685</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>GABELLI EQUITY TRUST INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>GAB</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001196116</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>HEITMANN WILLIAM F</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O GAMCO INVESTORS, INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>ONE CORPORATE CENTER</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>RYE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10580</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>William F. Heitmann</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2012-08-23</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
