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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 wW8tsxez92j9beUtD5gNnQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001181431-04-026654.txt : 20040519
<SEC-HEADER>0001181431-04-026654.hdr.sgml : 20040519
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040519083351
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001181431-04-026654
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040514
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040519

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			NOVASTAR FINANCIAL INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001025953
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS [6798]
		IRS NUMBER:				742830661
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			MD
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		8140 WARD PARKWAY
		STREET 2:		STE 300
		CITY:			KANSAS CITY
		STATE:			MO
		ZIP:			64114
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8162377000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		8140 WARD PARKWAY
		STREET 2:		STE 300
		CITY:			KANSAS CITY
		STATE:			MO
		ZIP:			64114

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			SCHWATKEN RODNEY E
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001207181

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-13533
		FILM NUMBER:		04817412

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O NOVASTAR FINANCIAL INC
		STREET 2:		1901 WEST 47TH PL. #105
		CITY:			WESTWOOD
		STATE:			KS
		ZIP:			66205
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9133621090

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O NOVASTAR FINANCIAL INC
		STREET 2:		1901 WEST 47TH PL. #105
		CITY:			WESTWOOD
		STATE:			KS
		ZIP:			66205
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>rrd42981.xml
<DESCRIPTION>DEFERRED COMP
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-05-14</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001025953</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>NOVASTAR FINANCIAL INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>NFI</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001207181</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>SCHWATKEN RODNEY E</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>8140 WARD PARKWAY</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 300</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>KANSAS CITY</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MO</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>64114</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Principal Financial Officer</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>NovaStar Financial, Inc. Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-05-14</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <deemedExecutionDate>
                <value>2004-05-18</value>
            </deemedExecutionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>15</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>33.88</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>25863</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Rodney E. Schwatken</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-05-19</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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