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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 bM7A5c9jsXHQO0KFZ1NSfg==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001179110-06-012608.txt : 20060602
<SEC-HEADER>0001179110-06-012608.hdr.sgml : 20060602
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20060602201006
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001179110-06-012608
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		2
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20060601
FILED AS OF DATE:		20060602
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20060602

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			RIGEL PHARMACEUTICALS INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001034842
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	PHARMACEUTICAL PREPARATIONS [2834]
		IRS NUMBER:				943248524
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1180 VETERANS BOULEVARD
		CITY:			SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94080

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1180 VETERANS BOULEVARD
		CITY:			SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94080

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Maynard Ryan D
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001363984

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-29889
		FILM NUMBER:		06884593

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		(650) 624-1284

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		RIGEL PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
		STREET 2:		1180 VETERANS BLVD.
		CITY:			SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94080
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 3 -
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2006-06-01</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001034842</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>RIGEL PHARMACEUTICALS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>RIGL</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001363984</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Maynard Ryan D</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>RIGEL PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>1180 VETERANS BLVD.</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>94306-2155</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>VP Finance, Acting CFO</officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable></nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>9.20</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2006-08-02</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>Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>8.15</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2013-07-18</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>7504</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>23.00</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2014-01-26</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>11895</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>23.320</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F4"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2015-09-28</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>60000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>7.88</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F5"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2016-01-18</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>4600</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>10.20</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F6"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2016-05-30</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>90000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The option became exercisable as to 889 shares on 1/28/04 and as to an additional 889 shares on 7/28/04. The remaining 2,666 shares have vested in equal monthly installments from 7/28/04 and will continue to vest until fully vested on 7/28/06. The original opotion grant was for 4,444 shares and 3,444 shares have been exercised.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">The shares vest monthly over four (4) years from 7/18/03.  The original grant was for 18,009 shares and 10,505 shares have been exercised.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">The shares vest monthly over four (4) years from 1/1/04.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">The shares vest monthly over four (4) years from 10/01/05.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F5">The shares vest monthly over one (1) year from 1/01/06.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F6">The shares vest monthly over four (4) years from 6/01/06.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Dolly Vance (Attorney-in-Fact)</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2006-06-02</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-24
<SEQUENCE>2
<FILENAME>ex24maynard.txt
<TEXT>
POWER OF ATTORNEY

Know all by these presents, that the undersigned hereby
constitutes and appoints each of Dolly A. Vance and
James M. Gower, signing individually, the undersigned's
true and lawful attorneys-in fact and agents to:

(1) execute for and on behalf of the undersigned, an officer,
director or holder of 10% of more of a registered class of
securities of Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the "Company"),
Forms 3, 4 and 5 in accordance with Section 16(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange
Act") and the rules thereunder;

(2) do and perform any and all acts for and on behalf of the
undersigned that may be necessary or desirable to complete and
execute such Form 3, 4 or 5, complete and execute any
amendment or amendments thereto, and timely file such forms or
amendments with the United States Securities and Exchange
Commission and any stock exchange or similar authority; and

(3) take any other action of any nature whatsoever in
connection with the foregoing which, in the opinion of such
attorney-in-fact, may be of benefit, in the best interest of,
or legally required by, the undersigned, it being understood
that the documents executed by such attorney-in-fact on behalf
of the undersigned pursuant to this Power of Attorney shall be
in such form and shall contain such terms and conditions as
such attorney-in-fact may approve in such attorney-in-fact's
discretion.

The undersigned hereby grants to each such attorney-in-fact
full power and authority to do and perform any and every act
and thing whatsoever requisite, necessary, or proper to be
done in the exercise of any of the rights and powers herein
granted, as fully to all intents and purposes as the
undersigned might or could do if personally present, with full
power of substitution or revocation, hereby ratifying and
confirming all that such attorney-in-fact, or such attorney-
in-fact's substitute or substitutes, shall lawfully do or
cause to be done by virtue of this power of attorney and the
rights and powers herein granted.  The undersigned
acknowledges that the foregoing attorneys-in-fact, in serving
in such capacity at the request of the undersigned, are not
assuming, nor is the Company assuming, any of the
undersigned's responsibilities to comply with Section 16 of
the Exchange Act.

This Power of Attorney shall remain in full force and effect
until the earliest to occur of (a) the undersigned is no
longer required to file Forms 3, 4 and 5 with respect to the
undersigned's holdings of and transactions in securities
issued by the Company, (b) revocation by the undersigned in a
signed writing delivered to the foregoing attorneys-in-fact or
(c) as to any attorney-in-fact individually, until such
attorney-in-fact shall no longer be employed by the Company.


In Witness Whereof, the undersigned has caused this Power of
Attorney to be executed as of this 30th day of  May, 2006.

/s/Ryan D. Maynard

Ryan D. Maynard

</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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