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  <TITLE>Prepared by R.R. Donnelley Financial -- Form 8-K</TITLE>
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   <DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <HR SIZE="4" NOSHADE COLOR="#000000" ALIGN="left"><DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="5"
  COLOR="#000000"><B>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION </B></FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000"><B>WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 </B></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <HR NOSHADE
  WIDTH="17%" COLOR="#000000"><DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="5" COLOR="#000000"><B>FORM 8-K </B></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT
  FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="5" COLOR="#000000"><B>CURRENT REPORT </B></FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000"><B>Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of </B></FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT
  FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000"><B>the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 </B></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000"><B>Date of Report (Date of
  earliest event reported): August 13, 2002 </B></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <HR NOSHADE WIDTH="17%" COLOR="#000000"><DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="5"
  COLOR="#000000"><B>ARTHROCARE CORPORATION </B></FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000"><B>(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter) </B></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV>
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  <TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="31%" ALIGN="center"> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000"><B>Delaware</B></FONT></DIV> </TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="31%" ALIGN="center"> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000"><B>0-27422</B></FONT></DIV> </TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="31%" ALIGN="center"> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000"><B>94-3180312</B></FONT></DIV> </TD> </TR>
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  <TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="31%" ALIGN="center"> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000"><B>(State or Other Jurisdiction of</B></FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1"
  COLOR="#000000"><B>Incorporation)</B></FONT></DIV> </TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="31%" ALIGN="center"> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000"><B>(Commission</B></FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000"><B>File
  Number)</B></FONT></DIV> </TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="31%" ALIGN="center"> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000"><B>(I.R.S. Employer</B></FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1"
  COLOR="#000000"><B>Identification No.)</B></FONT></DIV> </TD> </TR>
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  <TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="center"> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000"><B>680 Vaqueros Avenue</B></FONT></DIV> </TD> </TR>
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  <TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="center"> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000"><B>Sunnyvale, California 94085</B></FONT></DIV> </TD> </TR>
   </TABLE> </DIV> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000"><B>(Address of Principal Executive Offices) </B></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <HR NOSHADE
  WIDTH="17%" COLOR="#000000"><DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000"><B>(408) 736-0224 </B></FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1"
  COLOR="#000000"><B>(Registrant&#146;s telephone number, including area code) </B></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <HR NOSHADE WIDTH="17%" COLOR="#000000"><DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <HR SIZE="4" NOSHADE
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   <DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000"><B>ITEM 9.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;REGULATION FD DISCLOSURE </B></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT
  SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV STYLE="text-indent:4%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">On August 13, 2002, the Registrant filed its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 29, 2002 (the &#147;<U>Form
  10-Q</U>&#148;) with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. &#167; 1350, as created by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the following certifications are being made to accompany the Form 10-Q: </FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000"><B>Certification of Chief Executive Officer </B></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT
  SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV STYLE="text-indent:4%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. &#167; 1350, as created by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the undersigned officer of ArthroCare
  Corporation (the &#147;<U>Company</U>&#148;) hereby certifies, to such officer&#146;s best knowledge, that: </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV STYLE="margin-left:4%; text-indent:4%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"
  COLOR="#000000">(i)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of the Company for the quarterly period ended June 29, 2002 (the &#147;<U>Report</U>&#148;) fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or Section 15(d), as
  applicable, of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV STYLE="margin-left:4%; text-indent:4%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"
  COLOR="#000000">(ii)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company. </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV>
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  <TD VALIGN="top" WIDTH="48%"> <DIV><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">Dated: August 13, 2002</FONT></DIV> </TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top" WIDTH="48%"> <DIV><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;M<SMALL>ICHAEL</SMALL> A. B<SMALL>AKER</SMALL></FONT></DIV> <HR NOSHADE WIDTH="96%" COLOR="#000000" ALIGN="left"></TD> </TR>
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  <TD> <FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top" WIDTH="48%"> <DIV><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">Michael A. Baker</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">Chief Executive Officer</FONT></DIV> </TD> </TR>
   </TABLE> </DIV> <DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">The foregoing certification is being furnished solely to accompany the Report pursuant to
  18 U.S.C. &#167; 1350, and is not being filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and is not to be incorporated by reference into any filing of the Company, whether made before or after the date hereof,
  regardless of any general incorporation language in such filing. </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000"><B>Certification
  of Chief Financial Officer </B></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV STYLE="text-indent:4%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. &#167; 1350, as created by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley
  Act of 2002, the undersigned officer of ArthroCare Corporation (the &#147;<U>Company</U>&#148;) hereby certifies, to such officer&#146;s best knowledge, that: </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV
  STYLE="margin-left:4%; text-indent:4%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">(i)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of the Company for the quarterly period ended June 29, 2002 (the &#147;<U>Report</U>&#148;)
  fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or Section 15(d), as applicable, of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV STYLE="margin-left:4%; text-indent:4%"><FONT
  FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">(ii)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company. </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT
  SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN="center">
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  <TD VALIGN="top" WIDTH="48%"> <DIV><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">Dated: August 13, 2002</FONT></DIV> </TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top" WIDTH="48%"> <DIV><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;F<SMALL>ERNANDO</SMALL> S<SMALL>ANCHEZ</SMALL></FONT></DIV> <HR NOSHADE WIDTH="96%" COLOR="#000000" ALIGN="left"></TD> </TR>
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  <TD> <FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top" WIDTH="48%"> <DIV><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">Fernando Sanchez</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">Chief Financial Officer</FONT></DIV> </TD> </TR>
   </TABLE> </DIV> <DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">The foregoing certification is being furnished solely to accompany the Report pursuant to
  18 U.S.C. &#167; 1350, and is not being filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as </FONT></DIV> <P></P>
   <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">-2- </FONT></DIV>
  
  
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   <DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">amended, and is not to be incorporated by reference into any filing of the Company, whether made before
  or after the date hereof, regardless of any general incorporation language in such filing. </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"
  COLOR="#000000"><B>SIGNATURES </B></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV STYLE="text-indent:4%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
  registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized. </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN="center">
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  <TD VALIGN="top" WIDTH="48%"> <DIV><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">Dated: August 13, 2002</FONT></DIV> </TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top" WIDTH="48%"> <DIV><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000"><B>A<SMALL>RTHRO</SMALL>C<SMALL>ARE</SMALL> C<SMALL>ORPORATION</SMALL></B></FONT></DIV> </TD> </TR>
  <TR>
  <TD HEIGHT="16"> </TD> </TR>
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  <TD> <FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top" WIDTH="48%"> <DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">By:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;M<SMALL>ICHAEL</SMALL> A. B<SMALL>AKER</SMALL></FONT></DIV> <HR
  NOSHADE WIDTH="93%" COLOR="#000000" ALIGN="right"></TD> </TR>
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  <TD> <FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top" WIDTH="48%"> <DIV><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">Name:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Michael A. Baker</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">Its:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Chief
  Executive Officer</FONT></DIV> </TD> </TR>
   </TABLE> </DIV> <P></P>
   <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">-3- </FONT></DIV>
  
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metadata_filer: {"company-data": {"conformed-name": "ARTHROCARE CORP", "cik": "0001005010", "assigned-sic": "3845", "irs-number": "943180312", "state-of-incorporation": "DE", "fiscal-year-end": "0102"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "8-K", "act": "34", "file-number": "000-27422", "film-number": "02730735"}, "business-address": {"street1": "595 N PASTORIA AVE", "city": "SUNNYVALE", "state": "CA", "zip": "94086", "phone": "4087360224"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "595 NORTH PASTORIA AVE", "city": "SUNNVALE", "state": "CA", "zip": "94086"}}
text: Prepared by R.R. Donnelley Financial -- Form 8-K
  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
  Date of Report (Date of
  earliest event reported): August 13, 2002
  ARTHROCARE CORPORATION
  (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
  Delaware
  0-27422
  94-3180312
  (State or Other Jurisdiction of
  Incorporation)
  (Commission
  File
  Number)
  (I.R.S. Employer
  Identification No.)
  680 Vaqueros Avenue
  Sunnyvale, California 94085
  (Address of Principal Executive Offices)
  (408) 736-0224
  (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
  ITEM 9.    REGULATION FD DISCLOSURE
  On August 13, 2002, the Registrant filed its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 29, 2002 (the "
  Form
  10-Q
  ") with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as created by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the following certifications are being made to accompany the Form 10-Q:
  Certification of Chief Executive Officer
  Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as created by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the undersigned officer of ArthroCare
  Corporation (the "
  Company
  ") hereby certifies, to such officer's best knowledge, that:
  (i)    the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of the Company for the quarterly period ended June 29, 2002 (the "
  Report
  ") fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or Section 15(d), as
  applicable, of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and
  (ii)    the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
  Dated: August 13, 2002
  /s/    M
  ICHAEL
  A. B
  AKER
  Michael A. Baker
  Chief Executive Officer
  The foregoing certification is being furnished solely to accompany the Report pursuant to
  18 U.S.C. § 1350, and is not being filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and is not to be incorporated by reference into any filing of the Company, whether made before or after the date hereof,
  regardless of any general incorporation language in such filing.
  Certification
  of Chief Financial Officer
  Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as created by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley
  Act of 2002, the undersigned officer of ArthroCare Corporation (the "
  Company
  ") hereby certifies, to such officer's best knowledge, that:
  (i)    the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of the Company for the quarterly period ended June 29, 2002 (the "
  Report
  ")
  fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or Section 15(d), as applicable, of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and
  (ii)    the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
  Dated: August 13, 2002
  /s/    F
  ERNANDO
  S
  ANCHEZ
  Fernando Sanchez
  Chief Financial Officer
  The foregoing certification is being furnished solely to accompany the Report pursuant to
  18 U.S.C. § 1350, and is not being filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
  -2-
  amended, and is not to be incorporated by reference into any filing of the Company, whether made before
  or after the date hereof, regardless of any general incorporation language in such filing.
  SIGNATURES
  Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
  registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
  Dated: August 13, 2002
  A
  RTHRO
  C
  ARE
  C
  ORPORATION
  By:    /s/    M
  ICHAEL
  A. B
  AKER
  Name:    Michael A. Baker
  Its:    Chief
  Executive Officer
  -3-