Two late goals in a devastating two-minute spell from Christian Panucci and substitute Vincenzo Montella denied Inter all three points after they had looked to have battled from a goal down to take all three points.
After a dour first half the game sprung into life in the second half with Antonio Cassano firing Roma in front seconds after the restart with a fine toe-poked strike from the edge of the area.
The goal stung Inter into action and they drew level six minutes later with Vieri outpacing Aldair before coolly finishing past Ivan Pelizzoli.
Inter then turned the game on its head just before the hour mark with a superb solo goal from Recoba.
The Uruguayan ace somehow weaved his way past three Roma defenders in the box before firing in off the post.
Turkish star Emre added a third goal 13 minutes from time with a rare right-footed strike from the edge of the box.
Roma refused to give in and pulled one back on 82 minutes with Panucci bundling the ball home from close-range even though the last touch appeared to come off Inter midfielder Luigi Di Biagio.
The visitors then stunned the home side drawing level a minute later with a superb curling effort from Montella.
Montella then almost put Roma in front five minutes from time when he struck the inside of the post.
Seconds later it was Inter who came within inches of winning the game with substitute Gabriel Batistuta striking the post against his old club.
The result leaves Inter five points adrift of Juventus at the top of Serie A
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