-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 KnxB0P1+vkOl9R406UwAlC4uG0lVmEXWI3j+KCfEtQdZXyrRGxzsiWGTUcgYBx6I
 9S+eI/cvPXF4TFMozJFxAA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001182493-04-000028.txt : 20040716
<SEC-HEADER>0001182493-04-000028.hdr.sgml : 20040716
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040716115040
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001182493-04-000028
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040715
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040716

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			3COM CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000738076
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	COMPUTER COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT [3576]
		IRS NUMBER:				942605794
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0531

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		350 CAMPUS DRIVE
		CITY:			MARLBOROUGH
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			01752-3064
		BUSINESS PHONE:		508-323-5000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		350 CAMPUS DRIVE
		CITY:			MARLBOROUGH
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			01752-3064

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ST JOHN JULIE
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001223651

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-12867
		FILM NUMBER:		04917418

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		3900 WISCONSIN AVENUE NW
		CITY:			WASHINGTON
		STATE:			DC
		ZIP:			20016
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2027527000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		3900 WISCONSIN AVENUE NW
		CITY:			WASHINGTON
		STATE:			DC
		ZIP:			20016
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgardoc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-07-15</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>1</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000738076</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>3COM CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>COMS</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001223651</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>ST JOHN JULIE</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>350 CAMPUS DRIVE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>MARLBOROUGH</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>01752-3064</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Julie St. John</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-07-16</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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