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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001179110-08-005979.txt : 20080314
<SEC-HEADER>0001179110-08-005979.hdr.sgml : 20080314
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20080314180254
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001179110-08-005979
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20080314
FILED AS OF DATE:		20080314
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20080314

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			RUSH ENTERPRISES INC \TX\
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001012019
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	RETAIL-AUTO DEALERS & GASOLINE STATIONS [5500]
		IRS NUMBER:				741733016
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			TX
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		555 IH 35 SOUTH
		CITY:			NEW BRAUNFELS
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			78130
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8306265200

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		555 IH 35 SOUTH
		CITY:			NEW BRAUNFELS
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			78130

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Keller Steven L
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001392503

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-20797
		FILM NUMBER:		08690699

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		830-626-5200

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O RUSH ENTERPRISES, INC.
		STREET 2:		P. O. BOX 34630
		CITY:			SAN ANTONIO
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			78265
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4 -
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2008-03-14</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001012019</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>RUSH ENTERPRISES INC \TX\</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>RUSH</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001392503</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Keller Steven L</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>RUSH ENTERPRISES, INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>P. O. BOX 34630</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW BRAUNFELS</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>TX</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>78256</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Vice President &amp; CFO</officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class A Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2008-03-14</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>1020</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1020</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Option (right to buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>15.52</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2008-03-14</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>5100</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2018-03-14</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Class A Common</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>5100</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>5100</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Shares represent a restricted stock award and vest in increments of 1/3 on each of the first, second and third anniversary of the grant date.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Options may be exercised in increments of 1/3 on each anniversary of the grant date beginning on the third anniversary of the grant date.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Steven L. Keller</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-03-14</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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