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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 EumWcyTatdORrPt2pcgIlmMAsYM9zdDAIoQWxONYAtovz+4A4MBv3l5vU+PGfQGw
 UuvI8DcX6fUAyXsz0+Db3Q==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000709804-08-000041.txt : 20081027
<SEC-HEADER>0000709804-08-000041.hdr.sgml : 20081027
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20081027182141
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000709804-08-000041
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20081023
FILED AS OF DATE:		20081027
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20081027

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Ruisi Lawrence
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001312995

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-15071
		FILM NUMBER:		081143180

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		214-863-1000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1950 STEMMONS FREEWAY
		STREET 2:		SUITE 6001
		CITY:			DALLAS
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			75207

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ADAPTEC INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000709804
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	COMPUTER COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT [3576]
		IRS NUMBER:				942748530
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0331

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		691 S MILPITAS BLVD
		STREET 2:		M/S25
		CITY:			MILPITAS
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			95035
		BUSINESS PHONE:		4089458600

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		691 SOUTH MILPITAS BLVD
		STREET 2:		M/S25
		CITY:			MILPITAS
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			95035
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0203</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2008-10-23</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>1</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000709804</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>ADAPTEC INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>ADPT</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001312995</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Ruisi Lawrence</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>691 SOUTH MILPITAS BLVD.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>MILPITAS</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>95035</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>By: John M. Westfield For: Lawrence Ruisi</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-10-27</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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