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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,
 CrY8gduY4INeWD14G/04nJyRy48ft6hvDnNfFSRCy09Q8I4FtuafO8BavrT8j0kU
 UCkC8KkNnbkdVi+bZnQgUA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001181431-04-040495.txt : 20040817
<SEC-HEADER>0001181431-04-040495.hdr.sgml : 20040817
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040817133408
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001181431-04-040495
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040729
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040817

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BRANDS JAMES E
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001269000

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-30959
		FILM NUMBER:		04981353

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE HORIZON WAY
		CITY:			MANCHESTER
		STATE:			GA
		ZIP:			31816

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>rrd50719.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>0001269000</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>BRANDS JAMES E</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>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Option to purchase, right to buy</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>0.84</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2004-07-29</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2013-04-03</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>25272</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <remarks>Form 3 filed in conjuntion with completion of the merger between Horizon Medical Products and RITA Medical Systems, Inc.</remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>James E. Brands, by Richard De Young, Attorney in Fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-08-17</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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