-----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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 qMGPySHLW2v1XkLyqONk3Q==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000919574-04-003132.txt : 20041112
<SEC-HEADER>0000919574-04-003132.hdr.sgml : 20041111
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20041112170200
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000919574-04-003132
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20041102
FILED AS OF DATE:		20041112
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20041112

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			FALCONE PHILIP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001233569

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-10499
		FILM NUMBER:		041140295

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2125216972

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		555 MADISON AVE
		STREET 2:		16TH FLOOR
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10022

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			HARBERT RAYMOND J
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001233571

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-10499
		FILM NUMBER:		041140294

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2125216972

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		555 MADISON AVE
		STREET 2:		16TH FLOOR
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10022

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			LUCE MICHAEL D
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001233573

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-10499
		FILM NUMBER:		041140293

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2125216972

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		555 MADISON AVE
		STREET 2:		16TH FLOOR
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10022

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			NORTHWESTERN CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000073088
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	ELECTRIC & OTHER SERVICES COMBINED [4931]
		IRS NUMBER:				460172280
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		125 S DAKOTA AVENUE
		STREET 2:		SUITE 1100
		CITY:			SIOUX
		STATE:			SD
		ZIP:			57104
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6059782908

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		125 S DAKOTA AVENUE
		STREET 2:		SUITE 1100
		CITY:			SIOUX
		STATE:			SD
		ZIP:			57104

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	NORTHWESTERN PUBLIC SERVICE CO
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19920703

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			HMC DISTRESSED INVESTMENT OFFSHORE MANAGER LLC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001224055

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-10499
		FILM NUMBER:		041140297

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		555 MADISON AVENUE
		STREET 2:		16TH FLOOR
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10022
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2125216972

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		555 MADISON AVENUE
		STREET 2:		16TH FLOOR
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10022

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			HARBERT DISTRESSED INVESTMENT MASTER FUND LTD
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001233563

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-10499
		FILM NUMBER:		041140298

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O INTERNATIONAL FUND SERVICES
		STREET 2:		THIRD FL BISHOP SQUARE REDMONDS HILL
		CITY:			DUBLIN IRELAND
		STATE:			L2
		ZIP:			00000
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2125216972

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O INTERNATIONAL FUND SERVICES
		STREET 2:		THIRD FL BISHOP SQUARE REDMONDS HILL
		CITY:			DUBLIN IRELAND
		STATE:			L2
		ZIP:			00000

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			HMC INVESTORS LLC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001233566

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-10499
		FILM NUMBER:		041140296

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		555 MADISON AVE
		STREET 2:		16TH FLOOR
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10022
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2125216972

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		555 MADISON AVE
		STREET 2:		16TH FLOOR
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10022
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>p525808_ex.xml
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-11-02</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000073088</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>NORTHWESTERN CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>NOR</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001233563</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>HARBERT DISTRESSED INVESTMENT MASTER FUND LTD</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O INTERNATIONAL FUND SERVICES</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>THIRD FL BISHOP SQUARE REDMONDS HILL</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>DUBLIN IRELAND</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>L2</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>00000</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription>IRELAND</rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001224055</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>HMC DISTRESSED INVESTMENT OFFSHORE MANAGER LLC</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>555 MADISON AVENUE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>16TH FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10022</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001233566</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>HMC INVESTORS LLC</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>555 MADISON AVE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>16TH FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10022</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001233569</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>FALCONE PHILIP</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>555 MADISON AVE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>16TH FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10022</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001233571</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>HARBERT RAYMOND J</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>555 MADISON AVE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>16TH FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10022</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001233573</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>LUCE MICHAEL D</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>555 MADISON AVE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>16TH FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10022</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</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>7143718</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>7143718</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>byHarbert Distrressed Investment Master Fund, Ltd.</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>74706</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>By Alpha US Sub Fund VI, LLC</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Warrants</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>28.48</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2004-11-01</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2007-10-31</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>1750437</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Warrants</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>28.48</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2004-11-01</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2007-10-31</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>1750437</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>By Harbert Distressed Investment Master Fund, Ltd.</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Warrants</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>28.48</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2004-11-01</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2007-10-31</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>27430</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>By Alpha US Sub Fund VI, LLC</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">These securities are owned by Harbert Distressed Investment Master Fund, Ltd., which is a Reporting Person.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">These securities may be deemed to be beneficially owned by HMC Distressed Investment Offshore Manager, L.L.C. (&quot;HMC
Management&quot;), the investment manager of Harbert Distressed Investment Master Fund, Ltd., HMC Investors, L.L.C., its managing
member (&quot;HMC Investors&quot;), Philip Falcone, a member of HMC Management and the portfolio manager of Harbert Distressed
Investment Master Fund, Ltd., Raymond J. Harbert, a member of HMC Investors, and Michael D. Luce, a member of HMC Investors.
Each such Reporting Person disclaims beneficial ownership of the reported securities except to the extent of his or its
pecuniary interest therein, and this report shall not be deemed an admission that such Reporting Person is the beneficial
owner of the securities for purposes of Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or for any other
purpose.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">These securities may be deemed to be beneficially owned by HMC Investors, Philip Falcone, who is the portfolio manager of
Alpha US Sub Fund VI, LLC, Raymond J. Harbert and Michael D. Luce. Each such Reporting Person disclaims beneficial
ownership of the reported securities except to the extent of his or its pecuniary interest therein, and this report shall
not be deemed an admission that such Reporting Person is the beneficial owner of the securities for purposes of Section 16
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or for any other purpose.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Harbert Distressed Investment Master Fund, Ltd., By: HMC Distressed Investment Offshore Manager, LLC By HMC Investors, LLC, Managing Member By: /s/ Joel B. Piassick</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-11-12</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>HMC Distressed Investment Offshore Manager, LLC By: HMC Investors, LLC, Managing Member By: /s/ Joel Piassick</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-11-12</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>HMC Investors, LLC By: /s/ Joel Piassick</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-11-12</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>By: /s/ Philip Falcone</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-11-12</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>By: /s/ Raymond J. Harbert</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-11-12</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>By: /s/ Michael Luce</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-11-12</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----