-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 c/EJxFHPRevasEZrowlxVA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001179110-04-013094.txt : 20040617
<SEC-HEADER>0001179110-04-013094.hdr.sgml : 20040617
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040617164921
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001179110-04-013094
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040616
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040617

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Sylvester Paul F
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001293125

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-32198
		FILM NUMBER:		04869200

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		(317)249-4444

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		13085 HAMILTON CROSSING BLVD.
		STREET 2:		SUITE 500
		CITY:			CARMEL
		STATE:			IN
		ZIP:			46032

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ADESA INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001281949
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	WHOLESALE-MOTOR VEHICLES & MOTOR VEHICLE PARTS & SUPPLIES [5010]

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		13085 HAMILTON CROSSING BLVD
		CITY:			CARMEL
		STATE:			IN
		ZIP:			46032
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8009233725

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		13085 HAMILTON CROSSING BLVD
		CITY:			CARMEL
		STATE:			IN
		ZIP:			46032
</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>2004-06-16</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001281949</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>ADESA INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>KAR</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001293125</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Sylvester Paul F</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>13085 HAMILTON CROSSING BLVD.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>CARMEL</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>IN</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>46032</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Chief Information Officer</officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable></nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Option to purchase Common Stock, par value $.01 per share</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>24.00</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-06-16</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>159348</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2010-06-16</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock, par value $.01 per share</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>159348</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>159348</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Restricted Stock Units convertible to Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>0</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-06-16</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>9959</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock, par value $.01 per share</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>9959</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>9959</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Options vest and become exercisable with respect to one-third (1/3) of the total grant on each of the first three anniversaries of the date of grant, provided the executive is employed by ADESA, Inc. on such date.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Restricted Stock Units vest on the third anniversary of the date of grant, provided that the executive is employed by ADESA, Inc. on such date at which time they will be converted into shares of ADESA, Inc. common stock or cash, at the election of ADESA, Inc.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">N/A</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Michelle Mallon for Paul F. Sylvester</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-06-17</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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