<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2007-08-28</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>1</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000912183</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>CUBIST PHARMACEUTICALS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>CBST</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001374065</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Archer Gordon Lee</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>1504 HEARTHGLOW LANE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>RICHMOND</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>VA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>23233</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <remarks>Dr. Archer ceased to be a member of the Board of Directors of the Company on August 29, 2007.</remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Christopher D. T. Guiffre, Attorney-in-fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2007-09-17</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
