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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,
 CC21fbUcGgetEUuylxu1fgY96dpIocAndCkTLdoj3h96IZrG06YJNZL6s08LRF2W
 bp42HEDJNBRt4Nq039uK9A==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001179110-04-010302.txt : 20040512
<SEC-HEADER>0001179110-04-010302.hdr.sgml : 20040512
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040512161701
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001179110-04-010302
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040512
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040512

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			KPCB VII ASSOCIATES LP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001242721
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			CA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-50744
		FILM NUMBER:		04799613

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2750 DANS HILL ROAD
		CITY:			MENLO PARK
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94025

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
</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>0001242721</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>KPCB VII ASSOCIATES LP</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>2750 SAND HILL ROAD</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>MENLO PARK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>94025</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle></officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Series A Preferred Stock</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>112500</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>See footnote</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable></derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Immediately following the closing of the initial public offering of the Issuer's Common Stock, all outstanding shares of Preferred Stock will be automatically converted into shares of the Issuer's Common Stock.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">KPCB VII Associates, L.P., a California limited partnership (&quot;KPCB VII Associates&quot;) is the general partner of KPCB Life Sciences Zaibatsu Fund II, L.P., a California limited partnership (&quot;KPCB Life&quot;).  KPCB VII Associates disclaims beneficial ownership of these shares held directly by KPCB Life, except to the extent of any indirect pecuniary interest in their distributive share therein.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Joseph S. Lacob, general partner</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-05-12</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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