-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 Lk0l3KbW/yvZtSBmeHX1qZIAyzqssHnT+OFbsGuCY+ErzgftXsht04QXdzQ3TFs/
 e5rQbbzwRFU+BRNhj9Kv4Q==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001261519-03-000001.txt : 20030903
<SEC-HEADER>0001261519-03-000001.hdr.sgml : 20030903
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030903180755
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001261519-03-000001
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030821
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030903

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ATRIX LABORATORIES INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000809875
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	PHARMACEUTICAL PREPARATIONS [2834]
		IRS NUMBER:				841043826
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2579 MIDPOINT DR
		CITY:			FORT COLLINS
		STATE:			CO
		ZIP:			80525
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3034825868

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2579 MIDPOINT DR
		CITY:			FORT COLLINS
		STATE:			CO
		ZIP:			80525

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	VIPONT RESEARCH LABORATORIES INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19891218

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			YARBOROUGH CODY L
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001261519

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-18231
		FILM NUMBER:		03879968

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O ATRIX LABORATORIES
		STREET 2:		2579 MIDPOINT DR
		CITY:			FORT COLLINS
		STATE:			CO
		ZIP:			80525

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		124 N. MCKINLEY
		CITY:			FORT COLLINS
		STATE:			CO
		ZIP:			80521
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>

<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2003-08-21</periodOfReport>


    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000809875</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>ATRIX LABORATORIES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>ATRX</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001261519</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>YARBOROUGH CODY L</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>124 N. MCKINLEY</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>FORT COLLINS</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CO</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>80521</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Vice President, Derm Division</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>

        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock, $.001 par value</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>200</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>

    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>

        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Option (Right-to-Buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>9</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2001-06-07</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2010-06-07</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>5500</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>

        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Option (Right-to-Buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>9.313</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2001-06-20</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2010-06-20</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>5200</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>

        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Option (Right-to-Buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>10.688</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2001-07-26</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2010-07-26</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>2000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>

        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Option (Right-to-Buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>12.875</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2001-08-18</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2010-08-18</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>1000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>

        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Option (Right-to-Buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>15.563</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2001-08-30</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2010-08-30</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>1000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>

        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Option (Right-to-Buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>15.125</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2001-09-05</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2010-09-05</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>1000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>

        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Option (Right-to-Buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>18.125</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2001-12-08</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2010-12-08</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>1000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>

        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Option (Right-to-Buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>10.0625</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2002-04-03</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2011-04-03</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>8000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>

        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Option (Right-to-Buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>25.99</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2002-09-06</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2011-09-06</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>5000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>

        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Option (Right-to-Buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>22.99</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2003-01-31</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2012-01-31</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>3000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>

        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Option (Right-to-Buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>22.5</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2003-04-05</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2012-04-05</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>3000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>

        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Option (Right-to-Buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>16.46</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2004-04-28</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2013-04-28</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>4000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>

    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The option vests in three equal annual installments.  Date shown reflects first of three vesting dates.</footnote>
    </footnotes>


    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Desiree Calvelage, Power of Attorney</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2003-09-03</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>

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