-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 IY5cgoHbJtPlkFbfL9cbIohcuvMiVLBfNeNVw96KkLaaQep21fiiOrw5qzWt+aRB
 dSQ/K4+V2mBGPu2kABOIyA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001054102-06-000042.txt : 20060524
<SEC-HEADER>0001054102-06-000042.hdr.sgml : 20060524
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20060524142337
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001054102-06-000042
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20060515
FILED AS OF DATE:		20060524
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20060524

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			PDI INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001054102
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SERVICES-BUSINESS SERVICES, NEC [7389]
		IRS NUMBER:				222919486
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		SADDLE RIVER EXECUTIVE CENTRE
		STREET 2:		1 ROUTE 17 SOUTH
		CITY:			SADDLE RIVER
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			07458
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2012588450

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		SADDLE RIVER EXECUTIVE CENTRE
		STREET 2:		1 ROUTE 17 SOUTH
		CITY:			SADDLE RIVER
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			07458

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	PROFESSIONAL DETAILING INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19980129

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Smith Jeffrey Edward
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001363762

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	333-46321
		FILM NUMBER:		06863799

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		973-296-3911

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		6 BRADSON COURT
		CITY:			WESTFIELD
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			07090
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2006-05-15</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001054102</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>PDI INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>PDII</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001363762</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Smith Jeffrey Edward</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>6 BRADSON COURT</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>WESTFIELD</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NJ</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>07090</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Chief Fin'l Officer/Treasurer</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>7424</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock-settled stock appreciation rights to buy</value>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>13.47</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2011-05-15</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>15662</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">On May 15, 2006, upon commemcement of his employment with PDI, Inc. as its Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, Mr. Smith was granted 7,424 restricted shares of common stock which vest on May 15, 2009.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">On May 15, 2006, upon commemcement of his employment with PDI, Inc. as its Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, Mr. Smith was granted 15,662 stock-settled stock appreciation rights to buy common stock which vest ratably over the three-year period ending May 15, 2009.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">The grant vests ratably over the three-year period ending May 15, 2009.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Jeffrey E. Smith</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2006-05-24</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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