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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,
 Oqx8K7RHF/2YorrwEEYfVTqUBX/g8SsdOrMbLPFS8IfXZZHvoeiTE+4+wm00O/6d
 FXzb33dTpJB7whRPiGJL6A==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001179110-04-010303.txt : 20040512
<SEC-HEADER>0001179110-04-010303.hdr.sgml : 20040512
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040512161908
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001179110-04-010303
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040512
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040512

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			NUVASIVE INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001142596
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SURGICAL & MEDICAL INSTRUMENTS & APPARATUS [3841]
		IRS NUMBER:				330768598
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		10065 OLD GROVE RD
		CITY:			SAN DIEGO
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			92131
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8582717070

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			KPCB LIFE SCIENCES ZAIBATSU FUND II L P
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001001893

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-50744
		FILM NUMBER:		04799626

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2750 SAND HILL RD
		CITY:			MENLO PARK
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94025
		BUSINESS PHONE:		4152332750
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 3 -
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-05-12</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001142596</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>NUVASIVE INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>NUVA</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001001893</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>KPCB LIFE SCIENCES ZAIBATSU FUND II L P</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>2750 SAND HILL ROAD</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>MENLO PARK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>94025</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle></officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Series A Preferred Stock</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>112500</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable></derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Immediately following the closing of the initial public offering of the Issuer's Common Stock, all outstanding shares of Preferred Stock will be automatically converted into shares of the Issuer's Common Stock.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Joseph S. Lacob, general partner of KPCB VII Associates, L.P., its general partner</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-05-12</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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