EDGAR Submission NT-NSAR

                         Securities and Exchange Commission
                              Washington, DC 20549

                                  FORM 12b-25

Commission File Number: 811-04700

NOTIFICATION OF LATE FILING
(Check One):
[  ]Form 10K
[  ]Form 11-K
[  ]Form 20-F
[  ]Form 10-Q
[XX]Form N-SAR

FOR PERIOD ENDED:	06/30/04

Nothing in this form shall be construed to imply that the Commission
has verified any information contained herein.

If the notification relates to a portion of the filing checked
above, identify the item(s) to which the  notification relates:


PART I
Registrant Information

Full Name of Registrant: The Gabelli Equity Trust Inc.

Former Name if applicable:

Address of principal executive office: One Corporate Center

City, state and zip code: Rye, New York 10580-1422


PART II
Rule 12b-25 (b) AND (c)

If the subject report could not be filed without unreasonable effort
or expense and the registrant seeks relief pursuant to Rule 12b-25
(b), the following should be completed. (Check box if appropriate.)
                               [ X ]

(a)	The reasons described in reasonable detail in Part III of this
form could not be eliminated without unreasonable effort or expense;

(b)	The subject annual report, semi-annual report, transition
report on Form 10-K, 20-F, 11-K or Form N-SAR, or portion
thereof will be filed on or before the 15th calendar day
following the prescribed due date: or the subject quarterly
report or transition report on Form 10-Q, or portion thereof
will be filed on or before the fifth calendar day following
the prescribed due date; and

(c)	The accountant's statement or other exhibit required by Rule
12b-25(c) has been attached if applicable.

PART III
NARRATIVE

State below in reasonable detail the reasons why Form 10-K,
11-K, 20-F, 10-Q, N-SAR or the transition report portion thereof
could not be filed within the prescribed time period.  (Attach extra
sheets if needed.)

Additional time is needed to further review the document being filed
so that appropriate Semi-Annual Report certification can be made.


PART IV
OTHER INFORMATION

(1)	Name and telephone number of person to contact in regard to
this notification:

Name: Bruce N. Alpert
Telephone: 1-914-921-5105

(2)	Have all other periodic reports required under Section 13 or
15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or Section 30 of
the Investment Company Act of 1940 during the preceding 12
months or for such shorter period that the Registrant was
required to file such report(s) been filed  If the answer is
no, identify report(s).

YES

(3) Is it anticipated that any significant change in results of
operations from the corresponding period over the last fiscal
year will  be reflected by the earnings statements to be
included in the subject report or portion thereof?

NO

If so: attach an explanation of the anticipated change both
narratively and quantitatively, and if appropriate, state the
reasons why a reasonable estimate of the results cannot be made.

The Gabelli Equity Trust Inc.
(Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

Has caused this notification to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.


Date:  08/31/04
By: /s/Bruce Alpert
       Bruce Alpert
 	 President




Instruction.
The form may be signed by an executive officer of the registrant or by
another duly authorized representative.  The name and title of the
person signing the form shall be typed or printed beneath the signature.