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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,
 Ng0FvScN218i+NPQsotb1oB5/geSaYQpahEdhO7Gqw4hDaoXqUM7v24Ae6NivACS
 57+KZWxNV/6o1BqTWe6YjA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001250608-09-000003.txt : 20090420
<SEC-HEADER>0001250608-09-000003.hdr.sgml : 20090420
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20090420122731
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001250608-09-000003
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20090420
FILED AS OF DATE:		20090420
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20090420

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MENTOR GRAPHICS CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000701811
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SERVICES-COMPUTER INTEGRATED SYSTEMS DESIGN [7373]
		IRS NUMBER:				930786033
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			OR
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0131

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		8005 SW BOECKMAN RD
		CITY:			WILSONVILLE
		STATE:			OR
		ZIP:			97070-7777
		BUSINESS PHONE:		5036857000

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			FRIEDMAN ALAN J
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001236745

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-13442
		FILM NUMBER:		09758531

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		404 WYMAN STREET
		STREET 2:		SUITE 500
		CITY:			WALTHAM
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			02451
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0203</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2009-04-20</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>1</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000701811</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>MENTOR GRAPHICS CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>MENT</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001236745</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>FRIEDMAN ALAN J</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>8005 SW BOECKMAN ROAD</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>WILSONVILLE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>OR</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>97070-7777</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Vice President Human Resources</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Alan J Friedman</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2009-04-20</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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