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                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              WASHINGTON, DC 20549

                                  SCHEDULE 13G


                    Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934



                           Nextest Systems Corporation
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                (Name of Issuer)


                    Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         (Title of Class of Securities)


                                    653339101
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 (CUSIP Number)


                                December 31, 2006
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             (Date of Event Which Requires Filing of this Statement)


     Check the appropriate box to designate the rule pursuant to which this
Schedule is filed:

          [_] Rule 13d-1(b)

          [_] Rule 13d-1(c)

          [X] Rule 13d-1(d)

----------
The information required in the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed
to be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 ("Act") or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act
but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the
Notes).



CUSIP No. 653339101
          ---------------------


1.   NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS

     I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)

     Needham Capital Management, LLC

2.   CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
                                                                (a) [_]
                                                                (b) [X]

3.   SEC USE ONLY



4.   CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

     Delaware

NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH

5.   SOLE VOTING POWER

     0

6.   SHARED VOTING POWER

     1,021,750

7.   SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

     0

8.   SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

     1,021,750

9.   AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

     1,021,750

10.  CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES (SEE
     INSTRUCTIONS)

                                                                    [_]

11.  PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9

     5.8%

12.  TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)

     HC, OO



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CUSIP No. 653339101
          ---------------------


1.   NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS

     I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)

     Needham Capital Partners III, L.P.

2.   CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
                                                                (a) [_]
                                                                (b) [X]

3.   SEC USE ONLY



4.   CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

     Delaware

NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH

5.   SOLE VOTING POWER

     0

6.   SHARED VOTING POWER

     924,125

7.   SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

     0

8.   SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

     924,125

9.   AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

     924,125

10.  CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE  AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES  CERTAIN SHARES (SEE
     INSTRUCTIONS)

                                                                    [_]

11.  PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9

     5.2%

12.  TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)

     PN



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CUSIP No. 653339101
--------------------

1.   NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS
     I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)

     George A. Needham

2.   CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
                                                                (a) [_]
                                                                (b) [X]

3.   SEC USE ONLY



4.   CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

     United States

NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH

5.   SOLE VOTING POWER

     0

6.   SHARED VOTING POWER

     1,200,000

7.   SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

     0

8.   SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

     1,200,000

9.   AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

     1,200,000

10.  CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE  AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES  CERTAIN SHARES (SEE
     INSTRUCTIONS)

                                                                    [_]

11.  PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9

     6.8%

12.  TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)

     IN



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CUSIP No. 653339101
          ---------------------


1.   NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS

     I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)

     Thomas P. Shanahan

2.   CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
                                                                (a) [_]
                                                                (b) [X]

3.   SEC USE ONLY



4.   CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

     United States

NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH

5.   SOLE VOTING POWER

     0

6.   SHARED VOTING POWER

     1,200,000

7.   SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

     0

8.   SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

     1,200,000

9.   AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

     1,200,000

10.  CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE  AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES  CERTAIN SHARES (SEE
     INSTRUCTIONS)

                                                                    [_]

11.  PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9

     6.8%

12.  TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)

     IN



CUSIP No. 653339101
          ---------------------


1.   NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS
     I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)

     John J. Prior, Jr.

2.   CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
                                                                (a) [_]
                                                                (b) [X]

3.   SEC USE ONLY



4.   CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

     United States

NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH

5.   SOLE VOTING POWER

     0

6.   SHARED VOTING POWER

     1,200,000

7.   SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

     0

8.   SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

     1,200,000

9.   AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

     1,200,000

10.  CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE  AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES  CERTAIN SHARES (SEE
     INSTRUCTIONS)

                                                                    [_]

11.  PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9

     6.8%

12.  TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)

     IN



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CUSIP No. 653339101
          ---------------------


Item 1(a). Name of Issuer:


           Nextest Systems Corporation
           --------------------------------------------------------------------

      (b). Address of Issuer's Principal Executive Offices:

           1901 Monterey Road
           San Jose, California 95112
           --------------------------------------------------------------------


Item 2(a). Name of Person Filing:


           Needham Capital Management, LLC
           Needham Capital Partners III, L.P.
           George A. Needham
           Thomas P. Shanahan
           John J. Prior, Jr.

           --------------------------------------------------------------------

      (b). Address of Principal Business Office, or if None, Residence:


           Needham Capital Management, LLC
           Needham Capital Partners III, L.P.
           George A. Needham
           Thomas P. Shanahan
           John J. Prior, Jr.
              445 Park Avenue
              New York, NY 10022


           --------------------------------------------------------------------

      (c). Citizenship:


           Needham Capital Management, LLC - Delaware
           Needham Capital Partners III, L.P. - Delaware
           George A. Needham - United States
           Thomas P. Shanahan - United States
           John J. Prior, Jr.  - United States

           --------------------------------------------------------------------

      (d). Title of Class of Securities:


           Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share
           --------------------------------------------------------------------

      (e). CUSIP Number:


           653339101
           --------------------------------------------------------------------


Item 3.    If This Statement is filed pursuant to ss.240.13d-1(b) or
           240.13d-2(b), or (c), check whether the person filing is a:

     (a)  [_]  Broker or dealer  registered under Section 15 of the Exchange Act
               (15 U.S.C. 78c).

     (b)  [_]  Bank as defined in Section 3(a)(6) of the Exchange Act (15 U.S.C.
               78c).

     (c)  [_]  Insurance  company as defined in Section 3(a)(19) of the Exchange
               Act (15 U.S.C. 78c).

     (d)  [_]  Investment  company  registered under Section 8 of the Investment
               Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a-8).

     (e)  [_]  An      investment      adviser      in      accordance      with
               s.240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(E);

     (f)  [_]  An employee  benefit plan or endowment  fund in  accordance  with
               s.240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(F);

     (g)  [_]  A parent  holding  company or control  person in accordance  with
               Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(G);

     (h)  [_]  A savings  association  as defined in Section 3(b) of the Federal
               Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C.1813);

     (i)  [_]  A  church  plan  that  is  excluded  from  the  definition  of an
               investment  company  under  Section  3(c)(14)  of the  Investment
               Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a-3);

     (j)  [_]  Group, in accordance with s.240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(J).

Item 4.    Ownership.

       (a) Amount beneficially owned:

           Needham Capital Management, LLC - 1,021,750
           Needham Capital Partners III, L.P. - 924,125
           George A. Needham - 1,200,000
           Thomas P. Shanahan - 1,200,000
           John J. Prior, Jr. - 1,200,000
           ---------------------------------------------------------------------

       (b) Percent of class:

           Needham Capital Management, LLC - 5.8%
           Needham Capital Partners III, L.P. - 5.2%
           George A. Needham - 6.8
           Thomas P. Shanahan - 6.8%
           John J. Prior, Jr. - 6.8%
           ---------------------------------------------------------------------

       (c) Number of shares as to which the person has:

          (i)   Sole power to vote or to direct the vote

                Not Applicable

          (ii)  Shared power to vote or to direct the vote

                Needham Capital Management, LLC - 1,021,750 Needham Capital
                Partners III, L.P. - 924,125 George A. Needham - 1,200,000
                Thomas P. Shanahan - 1,200,000 John J. Prior, Jr. - 1,200,000

          (iii) Sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition of

                Not Applicable

          (iv)  Shared power to dispose or to direct the disposition of

                Needham Capital Management, LLC - 1,021,750 Needham Capital
                Partners III, L.P. - 924,125 George A. Needham - 1,200,000
                Thomas P. Shanahan - 1,200,000 John J. Prior, Jr. - 1,200,000

Item 5. Ownership of Five Percent or Less of a Class.

         Not Applicable


Item 6. Ownership of More Than Five Percent on Behalf of Another Person.

         Not Applicable


Item 7.  Identification  and Classification of the Subsidiary Which Acquired the
         Security Being Reported on by the Parent Holding Company or Control
         Person.

         Not Applicable


Item 8.  Identification  and  Classification  of Members of the Group.

         Not Applicable


Item 9.  Notice of Dissolution of Group.

         Not Applicable


Item 10. Certification.

         By signing below I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and
         belief, the securities referred to above were not acquired and are not
         held for the purpose of or with the effect of changing or influencing
         the control of the issuer of the securities and were not acquired and
         are not held in connection with or as a participant in any transaction
         having such purpose or effect.


     After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I
certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and
correct.



                                             Needham Capital Management, LLC*


                                             By: /s/ Glen W. Albanese
                                             -----------------------------
                                             Name:  Glen W. Albanese
                                             Title:  Chief Financial Officer

                                             Needham Capital Partners III, L.P.*

                                             By: /s/ Glen W. Albanese
                                             -----------------------------
                                             Name:  Glen W. Albanese
                                             Title:  Chief Financial Officer


                                                /s/ George A. Needham*
                                             ---------------------------
                                             Name:  George A. Needham


                                                /s/ Thomas P. Shanahan*
                                             ---------------------------
                                             Name:  Thomas P. Shanahan


                                                /s/ John J. Prior, Jr.*
                                             ---------------------------
                                             Name:  John J. Prior, Jr.

Date:  February 6, 2007

*The Reporting Persons disclaim beneficial ownership in the shares reported
herein except to the extent of their pecuniary interest therein.



                                                                      Exhibit A


                                    AGREEMENT

The undersigned agree that this Schedule 13G dated February 6, 2007 relating to
the Common Stock, of Nextest Systems Corporation shall be filed on behalf of the
undersigned.

                                      Needham Capital Management, LLC*


                                      By: /s/ Glen W. Albanese
                                      -----------------------------
                                      Name:  Glen W. Albanese
                                      Title:  Chief Financial Officer

                                      Needham Capital Partners III, L.P.*

                                      By: /s/ Glen W. Albanese
                                      -----------------------------
                                      Name:  Glen W. Albanese
                                      Title:  Chief Financial Officer


                                         /s/ George A. Needham*
                                      ---------------------------
                                      Name:  George A. Needham


                                         /s/ Thomas P. Shanahan*
                                      ---------------------------
                                      Name:  Thomas P. Shanahan


                                         /s/ John J. Prior, Jr.*
                                      ---------------------------
                                      Name:  John J. Prior, Jr.



*The Reporting Persons disclaim beneficial ownership in the shares reported
herein except to the extent of their pecuniary interest therein.


SK 22312 0001 744798