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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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 5COIjqGeIbtVH5Z8izjvkQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001209191-03-033442.txt : 20031203
<SEC-HEADER>0001209191-03-033442.hdr.sgml : 20031203
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20031203162654
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001209191-03-033442
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20031202
FILED AS OF DATE:		20031203

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			NETSCOUT SYSTEMS INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001078075
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SERVICES-COMPUTER INTEGRATED SYSTEMS DESIGN [7373]
		IRS NUMBER:				042837575
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0331

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		4 TECHNOLOGY PARK DR
		CITY:			WESTFORD
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			01886
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9786144000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		4 TECHNOLOGY PARK DRIVE
		CITY:			WESTFORD
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			01886

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			TA ASSOCIATES AAP III PARTNERS
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001235814
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-26251
		FILM NUMBER:		031035564

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		125 HIGH STREET
		STREET 2:		SUITE 2500
		CITY:			BOSTON
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			02110
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6175746781

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		125 HIGH STREET
		STREET 2:		SUITE 2500
		CITY:			BOSTON
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			02110
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>b48711ta.xml
<DESCRIPTION>MAIN DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?><ownershipDocument><schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>    <documentType>4</documentType><periodOfReport>2003-12-02</periodOfReport><notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16><issuer><issuerCik>0001078075</issuerCik><issuerName>NETSCOUT SYSTEMS INC</issuerName>        <issuerTradingSymbol>NTCT</issuerTradingSymbol></issuer><reportingOwner><reportingOwnerId><rptOwnerCik>0001235814</rptOwnerCik><rptOwnerName>TA ASSOCIATES AAP III PARTNERS</rptOwnerName></reportingOwnerId><reportingOwnerAddress><rptOwnerStreet1>125 HIGH STREET</rptOwnerStreet1><rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 2500</rptOwnerStreet2><rptOwnerCity>BOSTON</rptOwnerCity><rptOwnerState>MA</rptOwnerState><rptOwnerZipCode>02110</rptOwnerZipCode><rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription></reportingOwnerAddress><reportingOwnerRelationship><isDirector>0</isDirector><isOfficer>0</isOfficer><isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner><isOther>0</isOther></reportingOwnerRelationship></reportingOwner><nonDerivativeTable><nonDerivativeTr
ansaction><securityTitle><value>Common Stock</value></securityTitle><transactionDate><value>2003-12-02</value></transactionDate><transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType><transactionCode>S</transactionCode><equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved></transactionCoding><transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>19875</value></transactionShares><transactionPricePerShare><value>8.30</value></transactionPricePerShare><transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>D</value></transactionAcquiredDisposedCode></transactionAmounts><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>914062</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>I</value><footnoteId id="F1" /></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value>See Footnote 1</value></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></nonDerivativeTransaction></nonDerivativeTable><footnotes><footnote id="F1">The reporting person may be deemed to have an indirect pecuniary inte
rest as the General Partner of Advent Atlantic and Pacific III L.P. The reporting person disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares because the reporting person's indirect pecuniary interest is subject to indeterminable future events.</footnote></footnotes><ownerSignature><signatureName>TA Associates AAP III Partners</signatureName><signatureDate>2003-12-03</signatureDate></ownerSignature><ownerSignature><signatureName>By: TA Associates, Inc., its General Partner</signatureName><signatureDate>2003-12-03</signatureDate></ownerSignature><ownerSignature><signatureName>By: Thomas P. Alber, Chief Financial Director</signatureName><signatureDate>2003-12-03</signatureDate></ownerSignature></ownershipDocument>

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