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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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 r65OtZBF33ir3JJkVjuW/g==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001181431-08-005103.txt : 20080124
<SEC-HEADER>0001181431-08-005103.hdr.sgml : 20080124
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20080124142430
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001181431-08-005103
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20080123
FILED AS OF DATE:		20080124
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20080124

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MGI PHARMA INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000702131
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	PHARMACEUTICAL PREPARATIONS [2834]
		IRS NUMBER:				411364647
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			MN
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		5775 WEST OLD SHAKOPEE RD
		STREET 2:		SUITE 100
		CITY:			BLOOMINGTON
		STATE:			MN
		ZIP:			55437
		BUSINESS PHONE:		952-346-4700

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		5775 WEST OLD SHAKOPEE RD
		STREET 2:		SUITE 100
		CITY:			MINNEAPOLIS
		STATE:			MN
		ZIP:			55437

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	MOLECULAR GENETICS INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19900812

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MEHRER EDWARD W
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001207185

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-10736
		FILM NUMBER:		08547189

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8162377000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O NOVASTAR FINANCIAL INC
		STREET 2:		8140 WARD PARKWAY, STE 300
		CITY:			KANSAS CITY
		STATE:			MO
		ZIP:			64114
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>rrd191821.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4 1-23-08
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2008-01-23</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000702131</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>MGI PHARMA INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>MOGN</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001207185</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>MEHRER EDWARD W</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>2500 WEST 70TH STREET</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SHAWNEE MISSION</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>KS</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>66208</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2008-01-23</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>U</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>5704</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>41.00</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>0</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Shirley A. Anderson as Attorney-in-Fact for Edward W. Mehrer</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-01-24</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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