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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 CbXsXCZwSfoLzAN/syzg14xjZGwe2+EYGvKMfeaREQiMEdoYjfwzkyNwmuQ41j5B
 9tJSe+wVZL5JWE/S7CWcAg==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001209191-03-017668.txt : 20030818
<SEC-HEADER>0001209191-03-017668.hdr.sgml : 20030818
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030818165806
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001209191-03-017668
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030814
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030818

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			DIGITAL MEDIA & COMMUNICATINS III B LTD
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001260009
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-24786
		FILM NUMBER:		03853641

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		75 STATE STREET
		STREET 2:		C/O ADVENT INTERNAITONAL CORP
		CITY:			BOSTON
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			01209

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ASPEN TECHNOLOGY INC /DE/
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000929940
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SERVICES-COMPUTER PROGRAMMING SERVICES [7371]
		IRS NUMBER:				042739697
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0630

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		TEN CANAL PARK
		CITY:			CAMBRIDGE
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			02141
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6179491000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		TEN CANAL PARK
		CITY:			CAMBRIDGE
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			02141
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>bob47504dd.xml
<DESCRIPTION>MAIN DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?><ownershipDocument><schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>    <documentType>3</documentType><periodOfReport>2003-08-14</periodOfReport><noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned><issuer><issuerCik>0000929940</issuerCik><issuerName>ASPEN TECHNOLOGY INC /DE/</issuerName>        <issuerTradingSymbol>AZPN</issuerTradingSymbol></issuer><reportingOwner><reportingOwnerId><rptOwnerCik>0001260009</rptOwnerCik><rptOwnerName>DIGITAL MEDIA &amp; COMMUNICATINS III B LTD</rptOwnerName></reportingOwnerId><reportingOwnerAddress><rptOwnerStreet1>C/O ADVENT INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION</rptOwnerStreet1><rptOwnerStreet2>75 STATE STREET, 29TH FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet2><rptOwnerCity>BOSTON</rptOwnerCity><rptOwnerState>MA</rptOwnerState><rptOwnerZipCode>02109</rptOwnerZipCode><rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription></reportingOwnerAddress><reportingOwnerRelationship><isDirector>0</isDirector><isOfficer>0</isOfficer><isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner><isOther>1</isOther><otherText>Member of group that&gt
;10% owner</otherText></reportingOwnerRelationship></reportingOwner><derivativeTable><derivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Series D-1 Convertible Preferred Stock</value><footnoteId id="F1" /></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><value>0</value><footnoteId id="F2" /></conversionOrExercisePrice><exerciseDate><value>2003-08-14</value></exerciseDate><expirationDate><value>1988-08-08</value><footnoteId id="F3" /></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>common stock</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>240200</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeHolding><derivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Warrants to purchase common stock</value></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><value>3.33</value></conversionOrExercisePrice><exerciseDate><value>2003-08-14</value></exerciseDate><expirationDate><value>2010-08-14</value>
</expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>common stock</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>48040</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeHolding></derivativeTable><footnotes><footnote id="F1">Each of the series D-1 shares is convertible into a number of shares of common stock equal to its stated value of $333.00 per share (subject to adjustment) divided by the conversion price of $3.33 per share (subject to adjustment).</footnote><footnote id="F2">Each of the series D-1 shares is convertible into a number of shares of common stock equal to its stated value of $333.00 per share (subject to adjustment) divided by the conversion price of $3.33 per share (subject to adjustment).</footnote><footnote id="F3">Shares may be converted into common stock on a perpetual basis.</footnote></footnotes><ownerSignature><signatureName>/s/ 
Janet L. Hennessy, Vice President</signatureName><signatureDate>2003-08-14</signatureDate></ownerSignature></ownershipDocument>

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