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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 VYyWongWUwknlk4zxCQjr3r5xBrfJGp9LIm4NXqER/GjhJ3Vu6D/AVPw597cJxZO
 nvnC54u09gXQHNpeRn7ivw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001181431-05-005345.txt : 20050128
<SEC-HEADER>0001181431-05-005345.hdr.sgml : 20050128
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20050128131316
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001181431-05-005345
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20050127
FILED AS OF DATE:		20050128
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20050128

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			FULTON STEVEN P
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001186462

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-16723
		FILM NUMBER:		05557123

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1960 ALLGOOD RD
		CITY:			MARIETTA
		STATE:			GA
		ZIP:			30067

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			RESPIRONICS INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000780434
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	ORTHOPEDIC, PROSTHETIC & SURGICAL APPLIANCES & SUPPLIES [3842]
		IRS NUMBER:				251304989
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0630

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1010 MURRY RIDGE LANE
		CITY:			MURRYSVILLE
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			15668-8525
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7243875200

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1010 MURRY RIDGE LANE
		CITY:			MURRYSVILLE
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			15668-8525
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>rrd66425.xml
<DESCRIPTION>1 27 SALE
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2005-01-27</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000780434</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>RESPIRONICS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>RESP</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001186462</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>FULTON STEVEN P</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>1010 MURRY RIDGE LANE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>MURRYSVILLE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>PA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>15668</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>VP and General Counsel</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2005-01-27</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>806</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>57.38</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1341</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Total includes 561 shares of Respironics Common Stock purchase via the Company's Employee Stock Purchase Plan for the plan year ending 12/2004.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Dorita A. Pishko; Attorney-in-fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-01-28</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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