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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 CaSn850nMRJDU65h24XFMqZe6mzuiTnzWWNl9uvuLSU1LdvtlhRe6z3wz+on9VNP
 irgPm6j84Tk6kIGnBUIZ3w==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001179110-05-013631.txt : 20050705
<SEC-HEADER>0001179110-05-013631.hdr.sgml : 20050704
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20050705131854
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001179110-05-013631
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20050701
FILED AS OF DATE:		20050705
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20050705

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			NEORX CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000755806
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	IN VITRO & IN VIVO DIAGNOSTIC SUBSTANCES [2835]
		IRS NUMBER:				911261311
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			WA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		300 ELLIOTT AVENUE WEST
		STREET 2:		SUITE 500
		CITY:			SEATTLE
		STATE:			WA
		ZIP:			98119-4114
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2062817001

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		300 ELLIOTT AVENUE WEST
		STREET 2:		SUITE 500
		CITY:			SEATTLE
		STATE:			WA
		ZIP:			98119-4114

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			KARLIN DAVID A
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001247409

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-16614
		FILM NUMBER:		05935793

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6506162200

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O CELLEGY PHARMACEUTICALS INC
		STREET 2:		349 OYSTER POINT BLVD #200
		CITY:			S. SAN FRANCISCO
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94080
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 3 -
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2005-07-01</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000755806</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>NEORX CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>NERX</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001247409</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>KARLIN DAVID A</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>300 ELLIOTT AVE. WEST</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>STE. 500</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SEATTLE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>WA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>98119-4114</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Sr. VP,  Clinical Devlpt &amp; Reg</officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>NeoRx Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>0</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable></derivativeTable>

    <footnotes></footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Mike Jackson</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-06-30</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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