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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,
 E4ekHnEkvUcHUWN0lEhqy5Om/Aq/gg07k9kfPtkQ4maRJNf4+xdlUP+1MCWW21s3
 U/rZqX+TxP0NFAQNB4//YA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001179110-04-010279.txt : 20040512
<SEC-HEADER>0001179110-04-010279.hdr.sgml : 20040512
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040512153538
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001179110-04-010279
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040512
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040512

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			NUVASIVE INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001142596
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SURGICAL & MEDICAL INSTRUMENTS & APPARATUS [3841]
		IRS NUMBER:				330768598
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		10065 OLD GROVE RD
		CITY:			SAN DIEGO
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			92131
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8582717070

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			HOWE LESLEY H
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001222606

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-50744
		FILM NUMBER:		04799306

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O PF CHANG CHINA BISTRO INC
		STREET 2:		15210 N SCOTTSDALE RD STE 300
		CITY:			SCSOTTSDALE
		STATE:			AZ
		ZIP:			85254
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6029578986
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 3 -
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-05-12</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001142596</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>NUVASIVE INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>NUVA</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001222606</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>HOWE LESLEY H</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>10065 OLD GROVE ROAD</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SAN DIEGO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>92131</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle></officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable></nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>10.75</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2004-02-26</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2014-02-26</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>24000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The option is immediately exercisable, but shares purchased under such option are subject to repurchase by the Issuer at the option exercise price, upon the Reporting Person's termination of service to the Issuer prior to vesting in these shares.  Option shares vest in 48 equal monthly installments from such date.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Lesley H. Howe</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-05-12</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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