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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,
 Q24h46sAUB24jHJ/VmkfzlZAAIaY1uV3ty4/hUW+WXY5FUJxeIFyjGipfbbVpL3L
 C2mtTLUT0fLC//L9bsk8Jg==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000836106-06-000014.txt : 20061116
<SEC-HEADER>0000836106-06-000014.hdr.sgml : 20061116
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20061116201227
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000836106-06-000014
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20061113
FILED AS OF DATE:		20061116
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20061116

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			NOVELLUS SYSTEMS INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000836106
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SPECIAL INDUSTRY MACHINERY, NEC [3559]
		IRS NUMBER:				770024666
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			CA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		4000 N FIRST ST
		CITY:			SAN JOSE
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			95134
		BUSINESS PHONE:		408-943-9700

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		4000 NORTH FIRST STREET
		CITY:			SAN JOSE
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			95134

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Collins Martin J
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001381250

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-17157
		FILM NUMBER:		061224684

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		408 943-9700

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		4000 NORTH FIRST STREET
		CITY:			SAN JOSE
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			95134
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgardoc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2006-11-13</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>1</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000836106</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>NOVELLUS SYSTEMS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>NVLS</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001381250</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Collins Martin J</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>24 STARR WAY</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>MT. VIEW</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>94040</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>SVP and General Counsel</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>By: Lori A. Rognstad  For: Martin J. Collins</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2006-11-16</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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