<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>
  <periodOfReport>2003-10-09</periodOfReport>
    <noSecuritiesOwned>1</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001160241</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>DIGITALNET HOLDINGS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>DNET</issuerTradingSymbol>
  </issuer>
  <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001104997</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>GTCR FUND VII LP</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>6100 SEARS TOWER</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>CHICAGO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>IL</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>60606</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
      <isDirector>0</isDirector>
      <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
      <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
      <isOther>0</isOther>
    </reportingOwnerRelationship>
  </reportingOwner>
  <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001105021</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>GTCR GOLDER RAUNER LLC</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>6100 SEARS TOWER</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>CHICAGO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>IL</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>60606</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
      <isDirector>0</isDirector>
      <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
      <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
      <isOther>0</isOther>
    </reportingOwnerRelationship>
  </reportingOwner>
  <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001262949</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>GTCR PARTNERS VII L P</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>6100 SEARS TOWER</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>CHICAGO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>IL</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>60606</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
      <isDirector>0</isDirector>
      <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
      <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
      <isOther>0</isOther>
    </reportingOwnerRelationship>
  </reportingOwner>
  <nonDerivativeTable>
    <nonDerivativeHolding>
      <securityTitle>
        <value>Common Stock, par value $.001 per share</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
        <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
          <value>4365725</value>
        </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
        <directOrIndirectOwnership>
          <value>D</value>
        </directOrIndirectOwnership>
        <natureOfOwnership>
          <value>See footnote</value>
          <footnoteId id="F1"/>
        </natureOfOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
    </nonDerivativeHolding>
  </nonDerivativeTable>
  <derivativeTable>
    <derivativeHolding>
      <securityTitle>
        <value>Class A Preferred Stock, par value $.01 per share</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <conversionOrExercisePrice>
        <footnoteId id="F2"/>
      </conversionOrExercisePrice>
      <exerciseDate>
        <value>2003-10-09</value>
      </exerciseDate>
      <expirationDate>
        <value>2003-10-16</value>
      </expirationDate>
      <underlyingSecurity>
        <underlyingSecurityTitle>
          <value>Common Stock</value>
        </underlyingSecurityTitle>
        <underlyingSecurityShares>
          <value>3601338</value>
        </underlyingSecurityShares>
      </underlyingSecurity>
      <ownershipNature>
        <directOrIndirectOwnership>
          <value>D</value>
        </directOrIndirectOwnership>
        <natureOfOwnership>
          <value>See footnote</value>
          <footnoteId id="F1"/>
        </natureOfOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
    </derivativeHolding>
  </derivativeTable>
  <footnotes>
    <footnote id="F1">GTCR Fund VII, L.P., a limited partnership ("Fund VII") is the direct beneficial owner of the shares reported in Tables I and II.  GTCR Partners VII, L.P., a limited partnership, is the general partner of Fund VII and GTCR Golder Rauner, L.L.C. is the general partner of GTCR Partners VII, L.P.  As such, GTCR Partners VII, L.P. and GTCR Golder Rauner, L.L.C.  may be deemed to be beneficial owners of such securities. GTCR Partners VII, L.P. and GTCR Golder Rauner, L.L.C. expressly disclaim beneficial ownership of the shares reported in Table I.  The filing of this form shall not be deemed an admission that GTCR Partners VII, L.P. and GTCR Golder Rauner, L.L.C.  are, for Section 16 purposes or otherwise, the beneficial owners of such shares.</footnote>
    <footnote id="F2">Each share of Class A Preferred Stock is convertible into the number of shares of Common Stock obtained by dividing (1) the sum of (a) $1,000 and (b) any accrued and unpaid dividends by (2) the per share IPO price of the Common Stock of $17.00.  The calculation setforth herein was determined using accrued and unpaid dividends as of September 30, 2003 and excludes additional shares issuable in respect of Preferred Stock dividends accrued and upaid after that date.</footnote>
  </footnotes>
  <ownerSignature>
    <signatureName>/s/ Amit Mehta under a Power of Attorney attached hereto</signatureName>
    <signatureDate>2003-10-09</signatureDate>
  </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

