-----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,
 QaUqubupQCsqyY72Wh5gwU7B+2eKgnxmAonBa5SCP1zml7BZIv6ZYfkEl45Li40P
 0ERm76aKaA7wkAcRzHSS+A==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001286861-04-000002.txt : 20040416
<SEC-HEADER>0001286861-04-000002.hdr.sgml : 20040416
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040416172040
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001286861-04-000002
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040416
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040416

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BONKE NEIL R
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001245697

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-17157
		FILM NUMBER:		04738976

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		13635 VAQUERO CT
		CITY:			SARATOGA
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			95070

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:		4089439700

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		81 VISTA MONTANA
		STREET 2:		81 VISTA MONTANA
		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>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-04-16</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001245697</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>BONKE NEIL R</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>4000 NORTH FIRST STREET</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SAN JOSE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>95134</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Non-Qualified Stock Option (right to buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>15.622</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2002-12-06</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2007-08-02</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>4545</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>By: LOANN CAMPBELL  For: NEIL R. BONKE</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-04-16</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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