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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 3YlXIwVj+542RHlmOV7Q1g==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001181431-04-039678.txt : 20040810
<SEC-HEADER>0001181431-04-039678.hdr.sgml : 20040810
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040810183149
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001181431-04-039678
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040729
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040810

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BLUE HAROLD S
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001174634

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-30959
		FILM NUMBER:		04965486

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O COMVEST VENTURE PARTNERS LP
		STREET 2:		830 THIRD AVENUE
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10022

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O COMVEST VENTURE PARTNERS LP
		STREET 2:		830 THIRD AVENUE
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10022

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			RITA MEDICAL SYSTEMS INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001056421
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	ELECTROMEDICAL & ELECTROTHERAPEUTIC APPARATUS [3845]
		IRS NUMBER:				943199149
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		967 N SHORELINE BLVD
		CITY:			MOUNTAIN VIEW
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94013
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6503858500

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		967 NORTH SHORELINE BLVD
		CITY:			MOUNTAIN VIEW
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94043
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>rrd50253.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 3
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-07-29</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001056421</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>RITA MEDICAL SYSTEMS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>RITA</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001174634</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>BLUE HAROLD S</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>967 N. SHORELINE BLVD.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>MOUNTAIN VIEW</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>94043</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>108890</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Reflects conversion of Horizon Medical Products stock to RITA Medical Systems stock on 7/29/04, the merger date of the two companies.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Harold Blue, by Richard De Young, Attorney in Fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-08-10</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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