UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported): April 14, 2003

NOVELLUS SYSTEMS, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

California
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)

0-17157
(Commission File Number) 77-0024666
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

4000 North First Street, San Jose, California 95134
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

(408) 943-9700
(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

Not Applicable
(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

	Item 7. Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits.
	Item 9. Regulation FD Disclosure.
SIGNATURES
EXHIBIT INDEX
EXHIBIT 99.1

Item 7. Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits.

     (c)  Exhibits.

The exhibit listed below is being furnished with this Form 8-K.

Exhibit
Number	Description
99.1	First Quarter 2003 Earnings Release dated April 14, 2003.

Item 9. Regulation FD Disclosure.

On April 14, 2003, Novellus Systems, Inc. (the “Company”) announced via press release the Company’s results for its first quarter ended March 29, 2003. A copy of the Company’s press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1. This Form 8-K and the attached exhibit are provided under Item 12 of Form 8-K and are furnished to, but not filed with, the Securities and Exchange Commission.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

	NOVELLUS SYSTEMS, INC.
	By:	/s/ Kevin S. Royal Kevin S. Royal Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Date: April 14, 2003

2

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit
Number	Description
99.1	First Quarter 2003 Earnings Release dated April 14, 2003.