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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,
 Hv5XTFtuE5KAzOwEZAWC7mAxf9jQNOe4uEGx8U6f7yiWwjEHLIARBypOtyeWIv8F
 xH/0NAOTMV01pzJ1ULExEg==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001182493-04-000038.txt : 20040922
<SEC-HEADER>0001182493-04-000038.hdr.sgml : 20040922
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040922124242
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001182493-04-000038
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040920
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040922
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20040922

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:			NICHOLSON HILTON M
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001184465

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-12867
		FILM NUMBER:		041040731

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		PO BOX 1101 MS1651
		CITY:			MINNEAPOLIS
		STATE:			MN
		ZIP:			55440-1101
		BUSINESS PHONE:		5083235000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		350 CAMPUS DRIVE
		CITY:			MARLBOROUGH
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			01752
</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>2004-09-20</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>1</noSecuritiesOwned>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001184465</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>NICHOLSON HILTON M</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>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>SVP, Product Operations</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Hilton M Nicholson</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-09-20</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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