UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
 
 
                                    FORM 8-K
 
                                 CURRENT REPORT
                     Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of The
                         Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 
                                 January 6, 2005
                Date of Report (date of earliest event reported)
 
                               ACTUATE CORPORATION
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)



           Delaware                    0-24607              94-3193197
 (State or other jurisdiction        (Commission         (I.R.S. Employer
       of incorporation)            File Number)        Identification No.)

 
          701 Gateway Boulevard, South San Francisco, California 94080
          (Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)
 
                                 (650) 837-2000
              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)


[ ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act
    (17 CFR 230.425)

[ ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act 
    (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the 
    Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the 
    Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))





 
Item 2.02.  Results of Operations and Financial Condition
 
Attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated by reference herein is the text
of a press release issued on January 6, 2005 by the registrant, Actuate
Corporation, regarding preliminary financial results for its fourth fiscal
quarter ended December 31, 2004.
 
The information in this Current Report on Form 8-K is being furnished and shall
not be deemed "filed" for the purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that
Section.

Item 9.01.  Financial Statements and Exhibits
 
 (c) Exhibits.

99.1  Actuate Corporation Press Release dated January 6, 2005






                                   SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,
the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, hereunto duly authorized.
 
                                    ACTUATE CORPORATION
                                        (Registrant)
 
Date: January 6, 2005
                                    /s/    DANIEL A. GAUDREAU
                                    ----------------------------------
                                    Daniel A. Gaudreau
                                    Chief Financial Officer and 
                                    Senior Vice President, Finance and
                                    Administration