<PAGE>   1
    As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 19, 1999
                                                  Registration No. 333-

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                    FORM S-8

                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT

                                      UNDER

                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

                        INTEGRATED SURGICAL SYSTEMS, INC.
             (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

                                    DELAWARE
         (State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)

                                   68-0232575
                      (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

                            1850 RESEARCH PARK DRIVE
                          DAVIS, CALIFORNIA 95616-4884
                                 (530) 792-2600
               (Address, including zip code, and telephone number,
        including area code, of registrant's principal executive offices)

                             1998 STOCK OPTION PLAN
                          EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
                           (Full Title of the Plans)

                              DR. RAMESH C. TRIVEDI
                            1850 RESEARCH PARK DRIVE
                          DAVIS, CALIFORNIA 95616-4884
                                 (530) 792-2600
            (Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number,
                   including area code, of agent for service)

                          A copy of all communications,
                      including communications sent to the
                      agent for service should be sent to:

                                JACK BECKER, ESQ.
                             SNOW BECKER KRAUSS P.C.
                                605 THIRD AVENUE
                            NEW YORK, N.Y. 10158-0125
                                 (212) 687-3860
<PAGE>   2





                         CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  Proposed Maximum         Proposed
   Title of Each Class                                Offering              Maximum           Amount of
   of Securities to be        Amount to be             Price               Aggregate        Registration
        Registered             Registered            Per Share          Offering Price           Fee
   -------------------        ------------        ----------------      --------------      ------------
<S>                           <C>                 <C>                   <C>                 <C>
Stock Options                  850,000(1)                -                     -                   (2)

Interests                      300,000(3)                -                     -                   (2)

Common Stock, par              417,502(4)(5)           $3.12(6)         $1,302,606          $362.12
value $.01 per
share

Common Stock, par              732,498(7)(5)           $3.625(8)        $2,655,305          $738.17
value $.01 per                                                                              -------
share

         
        Total.........................................................................    $1,100.29      
                                                                                          =========
</TABLE>


(1)      Represents options granted or to be granted pursuant to the 1998 Stock
         Option Plan (the "1998 Option Plan") of Integrated Surgical Systems,
         Inc. (the "Registrant"). Each option entitles the holder thereof to
         purchase one share of the common stock, $.01 par value (the "Common
         Stock"), of the Registrant.

(2)      No registration fee is required pursuant to Rule 457(h)(2).

(3)      Represents interests in the Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the "Purchase
         Plan") of the Registrant. Each interest represents one share of Common
         Stock.

(4)      Shares purchasable upon exercise of options previously granted pursuant
         to the 1998 Option Plan.

(5)      Includes an indeterminate number of shares of Common Stock which may
         become issuable pursuant to the antidilution provisions of the Plan.

(6)      Calculated solely for the purpose of determining the registration fee
         pursuant to Rule 457(h)(1) based upon the average exercise price.

(7)      Includes 132,498 shares purchasable upon exercise of stock options to
         be granted under the Plan and 300,000 shares purchasable pursuant to
         the Purchase Plan.

(8)      Calculated solely for the purpose of determining the registration fee
         pursuant to Rule 457(c) based upon the closing sale price for the
         Common Stock on The Nasdaq SmallCap Market on January 14, 1999.


                                EXPLANATORY NOTE

     This Registration Statement includes a form of prospectus to be used by 
certain persons who may be deemed to be affiliates of the Registrant in 
connection with the resale of shares of Common Stock received by such persons 
pursuant to the Registrant's Employee Stock Purchase Plan and upon exercise of 
options granted under the Registrant's 1998 Stock Option Plan, which shares are 
subject to this Registration Statement, and upon exercise of options granted 
under the Registrant's 1995 Stock Option Plan (as amended), which shares are 
subject to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-8, filed on 
January 12, 1998 (File No. 333-44093).

                                         
<PAGE>   3
                                     PART II

               INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT

ITEM 3. INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE.

         The following documents filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission") by Integrated Surgical Systems, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Company" or the "Registrant"),are incorporated by reference
into this Registration Statement.

         (1) The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 1997.

         (2) The Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-QSB for the fiscal
quarters ended March 31, 1998, June 30, 1998 and September 30, 1998.

         (3) The description of common stock, par value $.01 per share, of the
Company (the "Common Stock") contained in the Company's Registration Statement
on Form 8-A (File No. 1-12471), filed pursuant to Section 12(g) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and any
amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such information.

             All documents subsequently filed by the Company pursuant to
Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act, as amended (the
"Exchange Act"), prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which
indicates that all securities offered have been sold or which deregisters all
securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by
reference herein and to be a part hereof from the date of filing of such
documents. Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be
incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded
for purposes of this Registration Statement to the extent that a statement
contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is
incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or
supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall
not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this
Registration Statement.

ITEM 4. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES.

         Not applicable.

ITEM 5. INTERESTS OF NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL.

         Not applicable.

ITEM 6. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.

         Article VI of the Registrant's by-laws provides that a director or
officer shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys' fees),
judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement (provided such settlement is
approved in advance by the Registrant) in connection with certain actions, suits
or 

                                          II-1
<PAGE>   4
proceedings, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other
than an action by or in the right of the corporation--a "derivative action") if
he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not
opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any
criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct
was unlawful. A similar standard of care is applicable in the case of derivative
actions, except that indemnification only extends to expenses (including
attorneys' fees) incurred in connection with the defense or settlement of such
an action, except that no person who has been adjudged to be liable to the
Registrant shall be entitled to indemnification unless a court determines that
despite such adjudication of liability but in view of all of the circumstances
of the case, the person seeking indemnification is fairly and reasonably
entitled to be indemnified for such expenses as the court deems proper.

         Article 6.5 of the Registrant's by-laws further provides that directors
and officers are entitled to be paid by the Registrant the expenses incurred in
defending the proceedings specified above in advance of their final disposition,
provided that such payment will only be made upon delivery to the Registrant by
the indemnified party of an undertaking to repay all amounts so advanced if it
is ultimately determined that the person receiving such payments is not entitled
to be indemnified.

         Article 6.4 of the Registrant's by-laws provides that a person
indemnified under Article VI of the by-laws may contest any determination that a
director, officer, employee or agent has not met the applicable standard of
conduct set forth in the by-laws by petitioning a court of competent
jurisdiction.

         Article 6.6 of the Registrant's by-laws provides that the right to
indemnification and the payment of expenses incurred in defending a proceeding
in advance of its final disposition conferred in the Article will not be
exclusive of any other right which any person may have or acquire under the
by-laws, or any statute or agreement, or otherwise.

         Finally, Article 6.7 of the Registrant's by-laws provides that the
Registrant may maintain insurance, at its expense, to reimburse itself and
directors and officers of the Registrant and of its direct and indirect
subsidiaries against any expense, liability or loss, whether or not the
Registrant would have the power to indemnify such persons against such expense,
liability or loss under the provisions of Article VI of the by-laws. The
Registrant maintains and has in effect such insurance.

         Article 11 of the Registrant's certificate of incorporation eliminates
the personal liability of the Registrant's directors to the Registrant or its
stockholders for monetary damages for breach of their fiduciary duties as a
director to the fullest extent provided by Delaware law. Section 102(b)(7) of
the DGCL provides for the elimination off such personal liability, except for
liability (i) for any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the Registrant
or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which
involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) under
Section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law or (iv) for any transaction
from which the director derived any improper personal benefit.


                                       II-2
<PAGE>   5
         Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
Act may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling the Company
pursuant to the foregoing provisions, the Company has been informed that in the
opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is
against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore
unenforceable.

ITEM 7. EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION CLAIMED

         Not Applicable.

ITEM 8. EXHIBITS.

EXHIBIT NO.                            DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBIT
-----------                            ----------------------

    4.1                 1998 Employee Stock Option Plan. *
                  
    4.2                 Employee Stock Purchase Plan. *
                  
    5.1                 Opinion of Snow Becker Krauss P.C.
                  
   23.1                 Consent of Snow Becker Krauss P.C.
                        (included in Exhibit 5.1 hereto).
                  
   23.2                 Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.
                  
   24.1                 Power of Attorney (included on the signature page of 
                        this Registration Statement).

-----------

         * Incorporated by reference to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form
10-KSB for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997.

ITEM 9. REQUIRED UNDERTAKINGS.

         The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that it will:

             (a)(1) File, during any period in which offers or sales are being
made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement to:

                     (i) Include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of
the Securities Act of l933;

                     (ii) Reflect in the prospectus any facts or events which,
individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the
information set forth in the Registration Statement. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the
total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was
registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum
offering 


                                      II-3
<PAGE>   6
range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission
pursuant to rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price
represent not more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set
forth in the "Calculation of Registration Fee" table in the effective
Registration Statement.

                 (iii) Include any material information with respect to the plan
of distribution not previously disclosed in the Registration Statement or any
material change to such information in the Registration Statement; 

provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not apply if the
Registration Statement is on Form S-3 or Form S-8 and the information required
to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in
periodic reports filed by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of l934 that are incorporated by reference in the
Registration Statement.

             (2) For the purpose of determining any liability under the
Securities Act of 1933, such post-effective amendment shall be deemed a new
registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time to be the initial bona fide offering
thereof.

             (3) Remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment
any of the securities being registered that remain unsold at the of the
termination of the offering.

         (b) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the
Registrant's annual report pursuant to Section l3(a) or Section l5(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of l934 that is incorporated by reference in the
Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities
at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

         (c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling
persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise,
the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and
Exchange Commission such indemnification is against policy as expressed in the
Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for
indemnification against liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of
expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the
registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is
asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the
securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its
counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court
of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is
against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final
adjudication of such issue.


                                       II-4
<PAGE>   7
PROSPECTUS

                        INTEGRATED SURGICAL SYSTEMS, INC.

                                  COMMON STOCK

The selling stockholders named in this prospectus are offering and selling
shares of common stock of Integrated Surgical Systems, Inc. which they have
acquired or may acquire upon exercise of options granted or to be granted under
our 1995 Stock Option Plan (as amended), 1998 Stock Option Plan, or Employee
Stock Purchase Plan.


The common stock is quoted on The Nasdaq SmallCap Market under the symbol
"RDOC", and is listed on the Pacific Exchange Incorporated under the symbol
"ROB". The common stock also has been admitted for trading on the European
Association of Securities Dealers' Automated Quotation system under the symbol
"RDOC". 

The common stock is a speculative investment and involves a high degree of risk.
You should read the description of certain risks under the caption "Risk
Factors" commencing on page__ before purchasing the common stock.

These securities have not been approved or disapproved by the SEC or any state
securities commission nor has the SEC or any state securities commission passed
upon the accuracy or adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the
contrary is a criminal offense.

                The date of this prospectus is January 19, 1999

Information Contained Herein Is Subject to Completion or Amendment. A
Registration Statement Relating to These Securities Has Been Filed With The
Securities And Exchange Commission. These Securities May Not Be Sold Nor May
Offers to Buy Be Sold Nor May Offers to Buy Be Accepted Prior to The Time The
Registration Statement Becomes Effective. This Prospectus Shall Not Constitute
an Offer to Sell or the Solicitation of an offer to Buy Nor Shall There Be Any
Sale of These Securities in Any State in Which Such offer, Solicitation or Sale
Would Be Unlawful Prior to Registration or Qualification under the Securities
Laws of Any State.
<PAGE>   8
                               Table of Contents


                                                                      Page
                                                                      ----

Risk Factors                                                            3

Forward Looking Statements                                             11

Selling Stockholders                                                   12

Plan of Distribution                                                   14

Information About the Company                                          15

Legal Matters                                                          15

Experts                                                                15


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

This prospectus is part of a registration statement we filed with the SEC. You
should rely only on the information or representations provided in this
prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different
information. The common stock will not be offered in any state where an offer is
not permitted. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus is
accurate as of any date other than the date on the cover of this prospectus.


                                        2
<PAGE>   9
 
                                  Risk Factors
 
ABILITY TO OPERATE PROFITABLY.  We have incurred losses since we commenced
operations in 1990. We incurred a net loss of approximately $4,478,000 (on net
sales of approximately $4,934,000) for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997
and a net loss of approximately $3,449,000 (on net sales of approximately
$2,280,000) for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996. We incurred a net loss
of approximately $7,454,000 (on net sales of approximately $4,188,000) for the
nine months ended September 30, 1998, as compared to a net loss of approximately
$2,851,000 (on net sales of approximately $2,818,000) for the nine months ended
September 30, 1997. As a result of continuing losses, our accumulated deficit
was approximately $31,049,000 at September 30, 1998. We expect to continue to
incur operating losses until such time, if ever, as we derive significant
revenues from the sale of our products. Our ability to operate profitably
depends upon market acceptance of our orthopaedic and neurosurgical products,
our development of an effective sales and marketing organization, and our
development of new products and improvements to existing products. Our ability
to market the ROBODOC System in the United States is dependent upon approval by
the Food and Drug Administration. See "Risk Factors -- U.S. Regulation by the
Food and Drug Administration." We cannot give you any assurance that we will
obtain FDA approval to market the ROBODOC System in the United States or that
our products will achieve market acceptance in the United States, Europe and
other foreign markets to generate sufficient revenues to become profitable.
 
DEPENDENCE ON PRINCIPAL PRODUCT.  For the near term, we expect to derive most of
our revenues from sales of the ROBODOC System. Accordingly, our potential future
success and financial performance will depend almost entirely on our ability to
successfully market the ROBODOC System. If we are unable to obtain the requisite
regulatory approvals or to achieve commercial acceptance of the ROBODOC System,
our business, financial condition and results of operations will be materially
and adversely affected. We have not obtained, and we cannot give you any
assurance that we will obtain, clearance or approval to market the ROBODOC
System in the United States. See "Risk Factors -- U.S. Regulation by the Food
and Drug Administration."
 
UNCERTAINTY OF MARKET ACCEPTANCE.  To successfully commercialize our systems we
must commit substantial marketing efforts and expend significant funds to inform
potential customers, including hospitals and physicians, of the distinctive
characteristics and advantages of using our systems instead of traditional
surgical tools and procedures. Since our systems employ innovative technology,
rather than being an improvement of existing technology, and represent a
substantial capital expenditure, we expect to encounter resistance to change,
which we must overcome to successfully market our products. If our systems do
not achieve significant market acceptance, our business, financial condition and
results of operations would be materially and adversely affected.
 
ALTERNATIVES TO OUR PRODUCTS.  The principal competition for the ROBODOC System
is manual surgery performed by orthopaedic surgeons, using surgical power tools
and manual devices. The providers of these instruments are the major orthopaedic
companies, which include Howmedica, Inc. (a subsidiary of Stryker Corporation),
located in New York; Zimmer, Inc. (a subsidiary of Bristol-Myers Squibb
Company), located in Indiana; Johnson & Johnson Orthopaedics, Inc. (a subsidiary
of Johnson & Johnson), located in New Jersey; DePuy, Inc. (a subsidiary of
Johnson & Johnson) located in Indiana; Biomet, Inc., located in Indiana; and
Osteonics, Inc. (a subsidiary of the Stryker Corporation), located in New
Jersey. MAQUET, a manufacturer of operating tables located in Germany, has
announced that it intends to market a device similar to the ROBODOC System. The
principal competition for the NeuroMate System are frame-based and frameless
navigators, which are manually operated. Approximately twenty navigator models
have been introduced, including those by Radionics, Sofamor-Danek and Ohio
Medical Surgical products, all located in the United States; Elekta, located in
Sweden; and Fischer Leibingher and Brain Lab, both located in Germany. In
general, there are companies in the medical products industry capable of
developing and marketing computer-controlled robotic systems for surgical
applications, many of whom have significantly greater financial, technical,
manufacturing, marketing and distribution resources than us, and have
 
                                        3
<PAGE>   10
 
established reputations in the medical device industry. Furthermore, we cannot
give you any assurance that IBM or the University of California, which developed
the technology embodied in the ROBODOC System and hold patents relating thereto,
will not enter the market or license the technology to other companies.
 
We cannot give you any assurance that future competition will not have a
material adverse effect on our business. The cost of our systems represents a
significant capital expenditure for a customer and accordingly may discourage
purchases by certain customers.
 
U.S. REGULATION BY THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION.  The FDA regulates the
clinical testing, manufacture, labeling, sale, distribution and promotion of
medical devices in the United States. Noncompliance with applicable requirements
can result in, among other things, fines, injunctions, civil penalties, recall
or seizure of products, total or partial suspension of production, failure of
the government to grant pre-market clearance or pre-market approval for devices,
withdrawal of marketing clearances or approvals, and criminal prosecution. The
FDA also has the authority to request recall, repair, replacement or refund of
the cost of any device that we manufacture or distribute. If we fail to comply
with regulatory requirements, including any future changes to such requirements,
our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially
and adversely affected.
 
     - Need to Obtain FDA Approval to Market ROBODOC System in the United
       States.  Before a new medical device can be introduced into the U.S.
       market, the manufacturer must obtain FDA permission to market through
       either the 510(k) pre-market notification process for medical devices
       which are substantially similar to other approved medical devices or the
       costlier, lengthier and less certain pre-market approval application
       process. Following a pre-filing meeting with representatives of the FDA
       in early 1998, we stated that we intended to file our pre-market approval
       application to market the ROBODOC System with the FDA in the second
       quarter of 1998. As a result of further discussions with representatives
       of the FDA as part of the pre-submission review process (which process is
       intended to expedite the FDA's formal pre-market approval process), we
       have deferred the filing of our pre-market approval application with the
       FDA so that we may incorporate our DigiMatch Single Surgery System, and
       possibly other technical developments, as part of our pre-market approval
       application. We believe, based upon our discussions with representatives
       of the FDA, that the incorporation of the DigiMatch Single Surgery System
       will enhance our prospects for obtaining FDA approval. However, we cannot
       give you any assurance as to when or if the FDA will grant pre-market
       approval for the ROBODOC System or that such approval, if obtained, will
       not include unfavorable limitations or restrictions.
 
       New surgical applications for the ROBODOC System generally will require
       FDA clearance through the 510(k) pre-market notification process or
       approval of a new 510(k) notice or a pre-market approval supplement or,
       possibly, a new pre-market approval application. We also are likely to
       require additional FDA approvals, supported by additional clinical data,
       before incorporating new imaging modalities such as ultrasound and MRI or
       other different technologies in the ROBODOC System.
 
     - Ability to Demonstrate Safety and Effectiveness of ROBODOC System.  In
       order to obtain FDA clearance or approval, we must demonstrate that the
       ROBODOC System is safe and effective, and we may be required to show a
       clinical benefit to patients. We believe that a reduced incidence of
       intraoperative fractures with the ROBODOC System compared to conventional
       total hip replacement surgery would offer an important benefit. The
       number of patients enrolled in our U.S. clinical study is less than the
       300 patients (150 ROBODOC System; 150 control group) we initially
       requested to study in our investigational device exemption application to
       the FDA. Nonetheless, over 3,300 primary surgeries have been performed
       with the ROBODOC System in the U.S. clinical trial and the European
       treatment population without a single reported intraoperative fracture.
       Since the observed fracture rate in the control group in the U.S.
       clinical trial was lower than anticipated, the data from this study are
       not sufficient to establish a statistically significant reduction in
 
                                        4
<PAGE>   11
 
       intraoperative fractures compared to the control group. Nevertheless, the
       data from both the U.S. and the European group of patients suggest that
       the ROBODOC System reduces intraoperative fractures when compared to the
       fracture rate of approximately 3 to 28 percent for conventional surgery
       reported in the scientific and medical literature. However, we cannot
       give you any assurance that the FDA will agree that the ROBODOC System
       offers a clinically significant reduction in intraoperative fractures, in
       the absence of a controlled trial demonstrating such a reduction, or that
       such a reduction is of clinical benefit to patients.
 
       The FDA has advised us that it believes long-term functional assessments
       are the primary endpoints for evaluating the safety and effectiveness of
       the ROBODOC System. Our preliminary review of the functional assessment
       data from the U.S. clinical trial shows equivalence between the ROBODOC
       System and conventional surgery. We believe that achieving better implant
       fit and alignment in the femoral cavity are significant factors in the
       success of cementless total hip replacement surgery, although the FDA has
       questioned whether fit is an appropriate endpoint and has not addressed
       alignment.
 
       Our most recent statistical analysis of fit and alignment parameters from
       3-month radiographs showed that the ROBODOC System surgeries produced
       better fit and alignment when compared to conventional surgeries. We
       believe a more accurate fit of the prosthesis reflects the implant
       manufacturers' design goals for implant cavity preparation. We also
       reviewed 24-month radiographs evaluating prosthesis stability. We cannot
       give you any assurance that the FDA will accept our data that
       demonstrates the ROBODOC System achieves better implant fit, alignment
       and stability, or that the FDA will agree that better fit and alignment
       are significant surgical endpoints. In addition, we cannot give you any
       assurance that the FDA will agree that the greater surgery time and blood
       loss associated with the ROBODOC System does not pose a significant
       safety concern or create an unfavorable risk/benefit ratio. Further, we
       cannot give you any assurance that the FDA will not require us to obtain
       additional clinical data from a randomized, controlled trial to resolve
       any concern about the risk/benefit ratio offered by the ROBODOC System.
       If we must obtain such additional data, the FDA review process could be
       prolonged by several years.
 
       In February 1995, a law firm specializing in FDA regulatory matters
       examined an interim report of preliminary data and concluded that it was
       doubtful that the FDA would find that the device was safe and effective
       for its intended use, or provided a therapeutic benefit, sufficient to
       permit pre-market approval, if the FDA were presented with the then
       existing preliminary data or future data qualitatively similar to the
       preliminary data. We believe that the additional data analyzed subsequent
       to the law firm's February 1995 report address many of the concerns
       identified in that report. These data and analyses include
       non-radiographic clinical follow-up data from the U.S. trial, preliminary
       analysis and review by an outside radiologist and an outside
       biostatistician of 3-month, 12-month and 24-month radiographic films from
       the U.S. clinical trial. We cannot give you any assurance that the data,
       once fully analyzed and reviewed, will demonstrate that the ROBODOC
       System is safe and effective for its intended use, provides a clinical
       benefit, or has an acceptable risk/benefit ratio in light of increased
       surgery time and intraoperative blood loss. In addition, our Director of
       Regulatory Affairs and Quality Assurance resigned in September 1996 and
       subsequently asserted that one of the reasons for his resignation was his
       concern, similar to that expressed in the February 1995 law firm report,
       about the adequacy of our clinical data to support product approval.
 
       If the FDA concludes that the existing clinical data are insufficient to
       establish the safety and efficacy of the ROBODOC System, the FDA could
       require us to obtain additional clinical data from a randomized,
       controlled trial, which could significantly delay completion of the
       pre-market approval review process, and accordingly have a material
       adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of
       operations.
 
                                        5
<PAGE>   12
 
     - No Assurance of Approvals; Subsequent Review of Approvals.  We cannot
       give you any assurance that any of our current or future products will
       obtain required FDA approvals on a timely basis, or at all, or that we
       will have the necessary resources to obtain such approvals. If any of our
       products are not approved for use in the United States, we will be
       limited to marketing them in foreign countries. Furthermore, approvals
       that have been or may be granted are subject to continual review, and
       later discovery of previously unknown problems can result in product
       labeling restrictions or withdrawal of the product from the market.
 
     - Adverse Effect of Delays or Loss of Approvals.  If we experience delays
       in the receipt of, or fail to receive, FDA approvals or clearances, or
       lose any previously received approvals or clearances, or the FDA imposes
       limitations on intended use as a condition of such approvals or
       clearances, our business, financial condition and results of operations
       could be materially and adversely affected.
 
     - Compliance with Quality System and other FDA Reporting and Inspection
       Requirements. Assuming we obtain the necessary FDA approvals and
       clearances for our products, in order to maintain such approvals and
       clearances we must, among other things, register our establishment and
       list our devices with the FDA and with certain state agencies, maintain
       extensive records, report any adverse experiences on the use of our
       products and submit to periodic inspections by the FDA and certain state
       agencies. The Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act also requires devices to be
       manufactured in accordance with the quality system regulation, which sets
       forth good manufacturing practices requirements with respect to
       manufacturing and quality assurance activities. The quality system
       regulation revises the previous good manufacturing practices regulation
       and imposes certain enhanced requirements that are likely to increase the
       cost of compliance, including design controls.
 
     - Modifications to Cleared Devices.  We have made certain minor
       modifications to the ORTHODOC and the NeuroMate System which we do not
       believe require the submission of new 510(k) notices. However, we cannot
       give you any assurance that the FDA would agree with any of our
       determinations not to submit a new 510(k) notice for any of these changes
       or would not require us to submit a new 510(k) notice for any of the
       changes made to the device. If the FDA requires us to submit a new 510(k)
       notice for any device modification, we may be prohibited from marketing
       the modified device until the 510(k) notice is cleared by the FDA.
 
FOREIGN REGULATION.  The introduction of our products in foreign markets has
subjected and will continue to subject us to foreign regulatory clearances,
which may be unpredictable and uncertain, and which may impose substantial
additional costs and burdens. Many countries also impose product standards,
packaging requirements, labeling requirements and import restrictions on
devices. We cannot give you any assurance that any of our products will receive
further approvals or clearances, if required on a timely basis, or at all.
 
UNCERTAINTY REGARDING PATENTS AND PROTECTION OF PROPRIETARY TECHNOLOGY.  Our
ability to compete successfully may depend, in part, on our ability to obtain
and protect patents, protect trade secrets and operate without infringing the
proprietary rights of others. Certain robotic medical technology underlying our
products is the subject of a United States patent issued to IBM, which IBM has
agreed not to enforce against the manufacture and sale of our products. We have
been issued four U.S. patents and filed seven patent applications covering
various aspects of our technology.
 
Our U.S. patents include
 
          - Computer assisted software system for planning and performing hip
            revision surgery
 
          - Computer assisted system and method for creating cavities in the
            femur that will accept a prosthesis
 
          - Computer system and method for creating a pre-operative surgical
            plan for hip replacement surgery
 
          - Method for orienting real patient anatomy to a digital image of the
            patient's anatomy
                                        6
<PAGE>   13
 
We cannot give you any assurance that our pending or future patent applications
will mature into issued patents, or that we will continue to develop our own
patentable technologies. Further, we cannot give you any assurance that any
patents that may be issued to us effectively protect our technology or provide a
competitive advantage for our products or will not be challenged, invalidated,
or circumvented in the future. In addition, we cannot give you any assurance
that competitors, many of which have substantially more resources than us and
have made substantial investments in competing technologies, will not obtain
patents that will prevent, limit or interfere with our ability to make, use or
sell our products either in the United States or internationally.
 
The medical device industry has been characterized by substantial competition
and litigation regarding patent and other proprietary rights. We intend to
vigorously protect and defend our patents and other proprietary rights relating
to our proprietary technology. Litigation alleging infringement claims against
us (with or without merit), or instituted by us to enforce patents and to
protect trade secrets or know-how owned by us or to determine the
enforceability, scope and validity of the proprietary rights of others, is
costly and time consuming. If any relevant claims of third-party patents are
upheld as valid and enforceable in any litigation or administrative proceedings,
we could be prevented from practicing the subject matter claimed in such
patents, or could be required to obtain licenses from the patent owners of each
patent, or to redesign our products or processes to avoid infringement. We
cannot give you any assurance that such licenses would be available or, if
available, would be available on terms acceptable to us or that we would be
successful in any attempt to redesign our products or processes to avoid
infringement. Accordingly, an adverse determination in a judicial or
administrative proceeding or failure to obtain necessary licenses could prevent
us from manufacturing and selling our products, which would have a material
adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
LIMITED PRODUCTION EXPERIENCE.  Our success will depends in part on our ability
to assemble our products in a timely, cost-effective manner and in compliance
with good manufacturing practices, and manufacturing requirements of other
countries, including the International Standards Organization 9000 standards and
other regulatory requirements. The assembly of our products is a complex
operation involving a number of separate processes and components. Our
production activities to date have consisted primarily of assembling limited
quantities of systems for use in clinical trials and systems for commercial
sale. We do not have experience in assembling our products in larger commercial
quantities. Furthermore, as a condition to receipt of pre-market approval, our
facilities, procedures and practices will be subject to pre-approval and ongoing
good manufacturing practices inspections by the FDA.
 
Manufacturers often encounter difficulties in scaling up manufacturing of new
products, including problems involving product yields, quality control and
assurance, component and service availability, adequacy of control policies and
procedures, lack of qualified personnel, compliance with FDA regulations, and
the need for further FDA approval of new manufacturing processes and facilities.
We cannot give you any assurance that production yields, costs or quality will
not be adversely affected as we seek to increase production, and any such
adverse effect could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial
condition and results of operations.
 
DEPENDENCE ON SUPPLIER FOR ROBOT.  Although we have multiple sources for most of
our components, parts and assemblies used in the ROBODOC and NeuroMate Systems,
we are dependent on Sankyo Seiki of Japan for the ROBODOC System robot arm and
Audemars-Piguet of Switzerland for the supply of the customized NeuroMate robot.
Although we can obtain the robot for either the ROBODOC System or the NeuroMate
System from other suppliers, with appropriate modifications and engineering
effort, we cannot give you any assurance that delays resulting from the required
modifications or engineering effort to adapt alternative components would not
have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results
of operations.
 
RELIANCE ON FOREIGN SALES.  Since we commenced operations, substantially all of
our sales have been to customers in Germany, Austria, France and Japan. We
believe that until such time, if ever, as we receive
 
                                        7
<PAGE>   14
 
approval from the FDA to market the ROBODOC System in the United States,
substantially all of our sales for the ROBODOC System will be derived from
customers in foreign markets. Foreign sales are subject to certain risks,
including economic or political instability, shipping delays, fluctuations in
foreign currency exchange rates, changes in regulatory requirements, custom
duties and export quotas and other trade restrictions, any of which could have a
material adverse effect on our business. To date, payment for substantially all
ROBODOC Systems in Europe has been fixed in U.S. Dollars. However, we cannot
give you any assurance that in the future customers will be willing to make
payment for our products in U.S. Dollars. If the U.S. Dollar strengthens
substantially against the foreign currency of a country in which we sell our
products, the cost of purchasing our products in U.S. Dollars would increase and
may inhibit purchases of our products by customers in that country. We are
unable to predict the nature of future changes in foreign markets or the effect,
if any, they might have on us.
 
UNCERTAINTY CONCERNING THIRD PARTY REIMBURSEMENT.  We expect that our ability to
successfully commercialize our products will depend significantly on the
availability of reimbursement for surgical procedures using our products from
third-party payors, such as governmental programs, private insurance and private
health plans. Reimbursement is a significant factor considered by hospitals in
determining whether to acquire new equipment. Notwithstanding FDA approval, if
granted, third-party payors may deny reimbursement if the payor determines that
a therapeutic medical device is unnecessary, inappropriate, not cost-effective
or experimental or is used for a nonapproved indication. Although we are not
aware of any potential customer that has declined to purchase the ROBODOC System
based upon third party reimbursement policies, cost control measures adopted by
third-party payors may have a significant effect on surgeries performed with the
ROBODOC System or as to the levels of reimbursement. We cannot give you any
assurance that levels of reimbursement, if any, will not be decreased in the
future, or that future legislation, regulation, or reimbursement policies of
third-party payors will not otherwise adversely affect the demand for our
products or our ability to sell our products on a profitable basis. Fundamental
reforms in the healthcare industry in the United States and Europe that could
affect the availability of third-party reimbursement continue to be proposed,
and we cannot predict the timing or effect of any such proposal. If third-party
payor coverage or reimbursement is unavailable or inadequate, our business,
financial condition and results of operation could be materially and adversely
affected.
 
LENGTHY SALES CYCLE.  Since the purchase of a ROBODOC System or NeuroMate System
represents a significant capital expenditure for a customer, the placement of
orders may be delayed due to customers' internal procedures to approve large
capital expenditures. We anticipate that the period between initial contact of a
customer for a system and submission of a purchase order by that customer could
be as long as 9 to 12 months. Furthermore, the current lead time required by the
supplier of the robot for either the ROBODOC System or the NeuroMate System is
approximately four months after receipt of the order. We may be required to
expend significant cash resources to fund our operations until the purchase
price is paid. Accordingly, we may not recognize the sales price of a system
until a fiscal quarter subsequent to the fiscal quarter in which we incurred
marketing and sales expenses associated with an order.
 
ABILITY TO MANAGE GROWTH.  We plan to expand our sales and marketing, research
and development and technical personnel to increase and support sales of systems
and to develop additional surgical applications for our orthopaedic and
neurosurgical systems. Our anticipated growth will likely result in new and
increased responsibilities for management personnel and place significant strain
upon our management, operating and financial systems and resources. To
accommodate such growth and compete effectively, we must continue to implement
and improve our operational, financial, management and information systems,
procedures and controls, and to expand, train, motivate and manage our
personnel. We cannot give you any assurance that our personnel, systems,
procedures and controls will be adequate to support our future operations. If we
fail to implement and improve our operational, financial, management and
information systems, procedures or controls, or to expand, train, motivate or
manage our employees, our business, financial condition and results of
operations could be materially and adversely affected.
 
                                        8
<PAGE>   15
 
NEED FOR ADDITIONAL FINANCING.  Although we believe that we have sufficient
funding to finance our operations through 1999, we cannot give you any assurance
that additional financing will not be needed at an earlier date. This will
depend upon our ability to generate sufficient sales of our products and the
timing of required expenditures. We cannot give you any assurance that if we
need additional financing in the future, such financing will be available on
acceptable terms, if at all.
 
PRODUCT LIABILITY.  The manufacture and sale of medical products exposes us to
the risk of significant damages from product liability claims. Although we
maintain product liability insurance against product liability claims in the
amount of $5 million per occurrence and $5 million in aggregate, we cannot give
you any assurance that the coverage limits of our insurance policies will be
adequate or that such insurance can be maintained at acceptable costs. Although
we have not experienced any product liability claims to date, a successful claim
brought against us in excess of our insurance coverage could have a materially
adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
DEPENDENCE ON KEY PERSONNEL.  Our business and marketing plan was formulated by,
and is to be implemented under the direction of, Dr. Ramesh C. Trivedi, Chief
Executive Officer and President. Dr. Trivedi is employed pursuant to an
employment agreement that may be terminated by either Dr. Trivedi or us at any
time. If we terminate Dr. Trivedi's employment other than for cause, we must pay
him his monthly salary (currently, $23,320) for a period of 18 months following
the date of termination. We maintain key-man insurance on the life of Dr.
Trivedi. Our growth and future success also will depend in large part on the
continued contributions of key technical and senior management personnel, as
well as our ability to attract, motivate and retain highly qualified personnel
generally and, in particular, trained and experienced professionals capable of
developing, selling and installing the Systems and training surgeons in their
use. Competition for such personnel is intense, and we cannot give you any
assurance that we will be successful in hiring, motivating or retaining such
qualified personnel. None of our executive or key technical personnel, other
than Dr. Trivedi, is employed pursuant to an employment agreement. The loss of
the services of Dr. Trivedi or other senior management or key technical
personnel, or the inability to hire or retain qualified personnel, could have a
material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of
operations.
 
OWNERSHIP OF SHARES BY MANAGEMENT.  Our executive officers and directors own
(directly or indirectly) 1,065,792 shares of common stock, or approximately 20%
of the outstanding shares of common stock. Although these securityholders may or
may not agree on any particular matter that is the subject of a vote of the
stockholders, these securityholders may be effectively able to control the
outcome of any issues which may be subject to a vote of securityholders,
including the election of directors, proposals to increase the authorized
capital stock, or the approval of mergers, acquisitions, or the sale of all or
substantially all of our assets.
 
LIMITATION ON DIRECTOR LIABILITY.  Our certificate of incorporation provides
that a director shall not be personally liable to the company or its
stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director,
with certain exceptions under Delaware law. This may discourage stockholders
from bringing suit against a director for breach of fiduciary duty and may
reduce the likelihood of derivative litigation brought by stockholders on behalf
of the company against a director. In addition, our by-laws provide for
mandatory indemnification of directors and officers.
 
ABSENCE OF DIVIDENDS.  Since inception, we have has not paid any dividends on
the common stock and do not anticipate paying such dividends in the foreseeable
future. We intend to retain earnings, if any, to finance our operations.
 
POSSIBLE VOLATILITY OF MARKET PRICE FOR THE COMMON STOCK.  From time to time and
in particular during the last several months, the stock market generally, and
the securities of technology companies in particular, have experienced a high
level of price and volume volatility, and market prices for the securities of
many companies have experienced wide price fluctuations not necessarily related
to the operating
 
                                        9
<PAGE>   16
 
performance of such companies. We believe that factors such as announcement of
developments related to our business, announcements of technological innovations
or new products by us or our competitors, sales of our common stock in the
public market, and shortfalls or changes in the our financial results from
analysts' expectations could cause the price of the common stock to fluctuate
substantially. Our operating results and various factors affecting the medical
device industry generally also may significantly impact the market price of the
common stock.
 
SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE.  We cannot give you any assurance as to the
effect, if any, that future sales of common stock, or the availability of shares
of common stock for future sales, will have on the market price of the common
stock from time to time. Sales of substantial amounts of common stock, or the
possibility of such sales, could adversely affect the market price of the common
stock and also impair our ability to raise capital through an offering of equity
securities in the future. As of December 1, 1998, there were 5,643,372 shares of
common stock outstanding. Except for 1,039,792 shares of common stock
(representing approximately 18.4% of the outstanding common stock) owned by EJ
Financial Investments V, L.P., which may be sold in accordance with the volume
limitations of Rule 144, substantially all of the outstanding shares of common
stock are transferable without restriction under the Securities Act. An
additional
 
     -  1,760,000 shares are issuable upon conversion of our Series A preferred
        stock, at an assumed conversion price of $2.00 per share
 
     -  2,274,066 shares are issuable upon exercise of warrants owned by IBM at
        exercise prices ranging from $.01 to $.07
 
     -  2,091,986 shares are issuable upon exercise of warrants issued in our
        initial public offering at an exercise price of $5.47 per share
 
     -  1,321,058 shares are issuable upon exercise of stock options granted
        pursuant to our employee stock option plans at exercise prices ranging
        from $.07 to $8.63 per share
 
     -  408,155 shares are issuable upon exercise of warrants having exercise
        prices ranging from $4.31 to $7.42 per share
 
Substantially all of such shares (other than the shares issuable upon exercise
of the warrants owned by IBM), when issued, may be immediately resold in the
public market pursuant to effective registration statements under the Securities
Act or pursuant to Rule 144. In April 1998, we amended the warrants owned by IBM
to permit IBM to exercise them without the payment of cash for a lesser number
of shares, based upon the difference between the market price of the common
stock at the time of exercise and the exercise price, in which case such shares
could be sold immediately under Rule 144 since under applicable SEC
interpretations, the holding period under Rule 144 for shares acquired in this
manner includes the period for which the selling shareholder owned the warrants.
 
Certain securityholders have agreed to limit the number of shares they may sell:
 
     -  IBM has agreed to limit sales of shares acquired upon exercise of its
        warrants to the volume limitations of Rule 144, whether or not
        applicable, and has granted us or our designee a right of first refusal
        with respect to such sales.
 
     -  Former securityholders of Innovative Medical Machines International,
        S.A., which we acquired in September 1997 in exchange for shares of
        common stock, have agreed to limit future sales of shares under a
        currently effective registration statement to the volume limitations of
        Rule 144, except that during the period from December 6, 1998 through
        March 5, 1999, they may sell an aggregate of 100,000 shares plus 1% of
        the total number of shares of common stock traded on Nasdaq during the
        preceding three month period.
 
                                        10
<PAGE>   17
 
We have granted registration rights to:
 
     -  The selling securityholders with respect to the shares of common stock
        covered by this prospectus.
 
     -  IBM, EJ Financial Investments V,L.P and certain other institutional
        investors owning or having the right to acquire 4,030,649 shares of
        common stock. These investors have agreed that they will not exercise
        these registration rights prior to May 21, 1999.
 
     -  Holders of warrants to purchase 166,837 shares of common stock issued in
        connection with our European offering in November 1997 have demand and
        piggyback registration rights for those shares.
 
     -  The holder of warrants to purchase 27,706 shares of common stock has
        piggyback registration rights for those shares, fully subordinated to
        the registration rights of our other securityholders.
 
DILUTIVE EFFECT OF CONVERSION OF SERIES A PREFERRED STOCK.  The conversion of
our series A preferred stock at a discount to the then prevailing market price
of the common stock, at an assumed conversion price of $2.00 per share, would
result in the issuance of up to 1,760,000 shares of common stock, or
approximately 23.8% of the outstanding shares, and consequently could have an
immediately adverse effect on the market price of the common stock, and will
have a dilutive impact on other stockholders.
 
POSSIBLE ADVERSE EFFECT OF OTHER ISSUANCES OF PREFERRED STOCK.  Our certificate
of incorporation authorizes the issuance of 1,000,000 shares of "blank check"
preferred stock, with designations, rights and preferences determined from time
to time by the Board of Directors. Accordingly, the Board of Directors is
empowered, without further stockholder approval, to issue preferred stock with
dividend, liquidation, conversion, voting or other rights that could adversely
affect the voting power or other rights of the holders of the common stock. In
the event of issuance, the preferred stock could be used, under certain
circumstances, as a method of discouraging, delaying or preventing a change in
control of the company, since the terms of the preferred stock that might be
issued could effectively restrict our ability to consummate a merger,
reorganization, sale of all or substantially all of its assets, liquidation or
other extraordinary corporate transaction without the approval of the holders of
the preferred stock. The series A preferred stock is the only series of
preferred stock outstanding.
 
                           Forward Looking Statements
 
Some of the information in this prospectus and the documents we incorporate by
reference may contain forward-looking statements. Such statements can be
identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may," "will,"
"expect," "believe," "intend," "anticipate," "estimate," "continue" or similar
words. These statements discuss future expectations, estimate the happening of
future events or our financial condition or state other "forward-looking"
information. When considering such forward-looking statements, you should keep
in mind the risk factors and other cautionary statements in this prospectus and
the documents that we incorporate by reference. The risk factors discussed in
this prospectus and other factors noted throughout this prospectus, including
certain risks and uncertainties, could cause our actual results to differ
materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement.
 
                                       11
<PAGE>   18
                              Selling Stockholders

The following table sets forth the names of the selling stockholders, the number
of shares of common stock beneficially owned by each selling shareholder as of
December 1, 1998, the number of shares that each selling stockholder may offer,
and the number of shares of common stock beneficially owned by each selling
stockholder upon completion of the offering, assuming all of the shares are
sold. 

Participants under our 1995 Stock Option Plan, 1998 Stock Option Plan or
Employee Stock Purchase Plan that we consider "affiliates" who may acquire
common stock under the plans may be added to the list of selling stockholders
named below from time to time by use of a prospectus supplement filed pursuant
to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act. An "affiliate" is defined in Rule 405
under the Securities Act as a "person that directly, or indirectly, through one
or more intermediaries, controls or is controlled by, or is under common control
with," Integrated Surgical Systems, Inc.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            Maximum Number of
                                                      Beneficial            Shares Subject to          Beneficial Ownership
                                                   Ownership Before        Outstanding Options             After Offering
                                                     Offering (1)             Which May be             --------------------
                                              -------------------------       Reoffered by               Number        
     Name                     Position        Number of Shares   %(2)      this Prospectus (3)         of Shares       %
     ----                     --------        ----------------  -------    -------------------         ---------       ----
<S>                    <C>                    <C>               <C>        <C>                         <C>             <C>
Ramesh C. Trivedi      President, Chief        332,612(4)         5.6%         436,907                   4,000         *
                       Executive Officer
                       and a Director

Mark W. Winn           Chief Financial           1,000(5)         *             45,000                   1,000         *
                       Officer

James C. McGroddy      Chairman of the
                       Board and a              36,813(6)         *             33,666                  21,000         *
                       Director

Paul A.H. Pankow       Director                  5,057(7)         *              11,370                     0           -

Gerald D. Knudson      Director                  2,326(8)         *               7,000                     0           -

Patrick G. Hays        Director                  2,326(8)         *               7,000                     0           -
</TABLE>


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

*        Less than one percent.

(1)      Unless otherwise indicated, each person has sole investment and voting
         power with respect to the shares indicated, subject to community
         property laws, where applicable.

(2)      For purposes of computing the number and percentage of shares
         beneficially owned by each selling stockholders on December 1, 1998,
         any shares which such selling stockholder has the right to acquire
         within 60 days after such date are deemed to be outstanding, but those
         shares are not deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of computing
         the percentage ownership of any other selling stockholder. On December
         1,1998, we had 5,643,372 shares of common stock outstanding.


                                       12
<PAGE>   19
(3)      Does not include shares that may be acquired by the selling
         stockholders listed upon exercise of options which subsequently may be
         granted or purchased pursuant to the plans, which shares (if any) will
         be added to the number of shares listed by one or more supplements to
         this prospectus. Furthermore, the inclusion in this prospectus of the
         stated number of shares does not constitute a commitment to sell any or
         all of the stated number of shares. The number of shares offered shall
         be determined from time to time by each selling stockholder in his sole
         discretion.

(4)      Includes 4,000 shares owned by Dr. Trivedi and 328,612 shares that Dr.
         Trivedi may acquire upon the exercise of stock options exercisable
         within 60 days - 311,009 shares at an exercise price of $.07 per share
         and 17,603 at an exercise price of $3.00 per share. Dr. Trivedi may
         acquire an additional 108,295 shares upon exercise of stock options
         that become exercisable over the remaining term of the options at
         exercise prices ranging from $.07 to $3.00 per share.

(5)      Represents shares owned by Mr. Winn. Does not include 45,000 shares
         that Mr. Winn may acquire upon exercise of stock options at an exercise
         price of $3.00 per share. None of these options are exercisable within
         60 days.

(6)      Includes 20,000 shares owned by Dr. McGroddy, 1,000 shares beneficially
         owned by his daughter, and 15,813 shares that Dr. McGroddy may acquire
         upon exercise of stock options exercisable within 60 days -- 14,250
         shares at an exercise price of $5.00 per share, 688 shares at an
         exercise price of $5.625 and 875 shares at an exercise price of $3.938.
         Dr. McGroddy may acquire an additional 17,853 shares upon exercise of
         stock options that become exercisable over the remaining term of the
         options at exercise prices ranging from $5.00 to $5.625 per share.

(7)      Represents shares that Mr. Pankow may acquire upon exercise of stock
         options exercisable within 60 days -- 1,744 shares at an exercise price
         of $2.07 per share, 1,750 shares at an exercise price of $5.00 per
         share, 688 shares at $5.625 per share and 875 shares at an exercise
         price of $3.938 per share. Mr. Pankow may acquire an additional 6,313
         shares upon exercise of stock options that become exercisable over the
         remaining term of the options at exercise prices ranging from $2.07 to
         $5.625 per share.

(8)      Represents shares that the selling stockholder may acquire upon
         exercise of stock options exercisable within 60 days -- 1,451 shares at
         an exercise price of $5.625 per share and 875 shares at an exercise
         price of $3.938 per share. The selling stockholder may acquire an
         additional 4,674 shares upon exercise of stock options that become
         exercisable over the remaining term of the options at exercise prices
         ranging from $3.938 to $5.625 per share.


                                       13
<PAGE>   20
                              Plan of Distribution

The selling stockholders (or, subject to applicable law, their pledgees,
donees, distributees, transferees or other successors in interest) may sell
shares from time to time in public transactions, on or off The Nasdaq SmallCap
Market, or private transactions, at prevailing market prices or at privately
negotiated prices, including but not limited to the following types of
transactions:

         -        ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which the
                  broker solicits purchasers;

         -        a block trade in which the broker-dealer so engaged will
                  attempt to sell the shares as agent but may position and
                  resell a portion of the block as principal to facilitate the
                  transaction;

         -        purchases by a broker or dealer as principal and resale by
                  such broker or dealer for its account pursuant to this
                  prospectus; and

         -        face-to-face transactions between sellers and purchasers
                  without a broker-dealer.

The selling stockholders also may sell shares that qualify under Section 4(1)
of the Securities Act or Rule 144.

In effecting sales, brokers or dealers engaged by the selling stockholders
may arrange for other brokers or dealers to participate in the resales. The
selling stockholders may enter into hedging transactions with broker-dealers,
and in connection with those transactions, broker-dealers may engage in short
sales of the shares. The selling stockholders also may sell shares short and
deliver the shares to close out such short positions. The selling
stockholders also may enter into option or other transactions with
broker-dealers which require the delivery to the broker-dealer of the shares,
which the broker-dealer may resell pursuant to this prospectus. The selling
stockholders also may pledge the shares to a broker or dealer and upon a
default, the broker or dealer may effect sales of the pledged shares pursuant to
this prospectus.

Brokers, dealers or agents may receive compensation in the form of commissions,
discounts or concessions from selling stockholders in amounts to be
negotiated in connection with the sale. The selling stockholders and any
participating brokers or dealers may be deemed to be "underwriters" within the
meaning of the Securities Act in connection with such sales and any such
commission, discount or concession may be deemed to be underwriting
compensation.

Information as to whether underwriters who may be selected by the selling
stockholders, or any other broker-dealer, is acting as principal or agent for
the selling stockholders, the compensation to be received by underwriters who
may be selected by the selling stockholders, or any broker-dealer, acting as
principal or agent for the selling stockholders and the compensation to be
received by other broker-dealers, in the event the compensation of such other
broker-dealers is in excess of usual and customary commissions, will, to the
extent required, be set forth in a supplement to this prospectus. Any dealer or
broker participating in any distribution of the shares may be required to
deliver a copy of this prospectus, including a prospectus supplement, if any, to
any person who purchases any of the shares from or through such dealer or
broker.

We have advised the selling stockholders that during such time as they may be
engaged in a distribution of the shares they are required to comply with
Regulation M promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act. With certain
exceptions, Regulation M precludes any selling securityholder, any affiliated
purchasers and any broker-dealer or other person who participates in such
distribution from bidding for or purchasing, or attempting to induce any person
to bid for or purchase any security which is the subject of the distribution
until the entire distribution is complete. Regulation M also prohibits any bids
or purchases made in order to stabilize the price of a security in connection
with the distribution of that security. All of the foregoing may affect the
marketability of the common stock.


                                       14
<PAGE>   21

                          Information About The Company

At Integrated Surgical Systems, Inc., we develop, assemble, market and service
image-directed, computer-controlled robotic products for orthopaedic and
neurosurgical applications. Our principal orthopaedic product is the ROBODOC(R)
Surgical Assistant System, consisting of a computer-controlled surgical robot
and our ORTHODOC(R) Presurgical Planner, and our principal neurosurgical product
is the NeuroMate System (TM).

We file reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may
read and copy any document we file at the Public Reference Room of the SEC at
Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549 and at the
Regional Offices of the SEC at Seven World Trade Center, Suite 1300, New York,
New York 10048 and at 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois
60661-2511. Please call 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information concerning the
Public Reference Room. Our filings also are available to the public from the
SEC's website at www.sec.gov. We distribute to our stockholders annual reports
containing audited financial statements.

Information Incorporated By Reference

The SEC allows us to "incorporate by reference" the information we file with it,
which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring to
those documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be
part of this prospectus, and information we file later with the SEC will
automatically update and supersede this information. We incorporate by reference
the documents listed below and any future filings we make with the SEC under
Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act until the
offering is completed:

         1.       Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the fiscal year ended
                  December 31, 1997.

         2.       Proxy Statement dated March 26, 1998.

         3.       Quarterly Reports on Form 10-QSB for the fiscal quarters ended
                  March 31, 1998, June 30, 1998 and September 30, 1998.

         4.       The description of the common stock contained in our
                  Registration Statement on Form 8-A (File No. 1-12471) under
                  Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act, including any 
                  amendment or report updating that description.

You may request a copy of these filings, at no cost, by writing or calling us
at: 
                           INTEGRATED SURGICAL SYSTEMS
                            1850 Research Park Drive
                          Davis, California 95616-4884
                         Attention: Corporate Secretary
                            Telephone: (530) 792-2600

Recent Development

DIGIMATCH SINGLE SURGERY SYSTEM. We have developed and commenced marketing to
our customers in Europe our DigiMatch Single Surgery System, that, in most
cases, eliminates the need for an initial surgery to place registration pins in
a patient's femur before using the ROBODOC System in total hip replacement
surgery. More than 150 patient surgeries have been successfully performed at a
clinic in Frankfurt, Germany with our DigiMatch Single Surgery System.

We plan to amend our investigational device exemption under the Food, Drug and
Cosmetic Act, which allowed us to conduct clinical trials for the ROBODOC System
in the United States, to permit us to perform a relatively small clinical study
showing a correlation between the ROBODOC System using the DigiMatch technology
and the three pin system that we used in our initial clinical evaluations. We
have deferred the filing of our pre-market approval application to market the
ROBODOC System in the United States so that we may incorporate our DigiMatch
Single Surgery System, and possibly other technical developments, as part of our
pre-market approval submission with the Food and Drug Administration. We
believe, based upon our discussions with representatives of the FDA, that the
incorporation of the DigiMatch Single Surgery System will enhance our prospects
for obtaining FDA approval. However, we cannot give you any assurance as to when
or if the FDA will approve our pre-market approval application to market the
ROBODOC System or that such approval, if obtained, will not include unfavorable
limitations or restrictions. See "Risk Factors -- U.S. Regulation by the Food 
and Drug Administration."
                                  Legal Matters

The validity of the shares of common stock offered hereby has been passed upon
by Snow Becker Krauss P.C., 605 Third Avenue, New York, New York 10158.

                                     Experts

The consolidated financial statements of Integrated Surgical Systems, Inc. at
December 31, 1997 and for the years ended December 31, 1996 and 1997, appearing
in our Annual Report (on Form 10-KSB) for the year ended December 31, 1997 have
been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors, as set forth in their
report thereon incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial
statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such report
given upon the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

                                       15

<PAGE>   22
                                   SIGNATURES

         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all
of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration
Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, hereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Davis, State of California, on January 15, 1999.

INTEGRATED SURGICAL SYSTEMS, INC.

By: s/ Ramesh C. Trivedi                         By: s/ Mark W. Winn
    ---------------------------                      ------------------------
    Ramesh C. Trivedi                                Mark W. Winn
    Chief Executive Officer                          Chief Financial Officer
       and President (Principal                      (Principal Financial and
       Executive Officer                                Accounting Officer)

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

         Each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and
appoints Ramesh C. Trivedi and Mark Winn, and each of them, his true and lawful
attorneys-in-fact and agents, with power of substitution and resubstitution, for
him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and
all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration
statement, and to file the same, with exhibits thereto and other documents in
connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby
ratifying all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or his substitute or
substitutes, or any of the, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue
hereof.

         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities indicated on January 15, 1999.

     Signature                        Title
     ---------                        -----


s/Ramesh C. Trivedi                   Chief Executive Officer,
------------------------------        President and Director 
Ramesh C. Trivedi                        (Principal Executive Officer)


s/Mark W. Winn                        Chief Financial Officer
------------------------------        (Principal Financial and
Mark W. Winn                             Accounting Officer)  


s/James C. McGroddy                   Chairman of the Board of Directors
------------------------------
James C. McGroddy


                                      Director
------------------------------
John N. Kapoor


s/Paul A.H. Pankow                    Director
------------------------------
Paul A.H. Pankow


s/Gerald D. Knudson                   Director
------------------------------
Gerald D. Knudson

                                      Director
------------------------------
Patrick G. Hays


                                      II-5
<PAGE>   23
                                EXHIBIT INDEX


EXHIBIT NO.                            DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBIT
-----------                            ----------------------

    4.1                 1998 Employee Stock Option Plan. *
                  
    4.2                 Employee Stock Purchase Plan. *
                  
    5.1                 Opinion of Snow Becker Krauss P.C.
                  
   23.1                 Consent of Snow Becker Krauss P.C.
                        (included in Exhibit 5.1 hereto).
                  
   23.2                 Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.
                  
   24.1                 Power of Attorney (included on the signature page of 
                        this Registration Statement).

-----------

         * Incorporated by reference to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form
10-KSB for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997.
[{"type": "S-8", "sequence": "1", "description": "INTEGRATED SURGICAL", "secsgml_size_bytes": 81828}]
{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "INTEGRATED SURGICAL SYSTEMS INC", "cik": "0000894871", "assigned-sic": "3841", "irs-number": "680232575", "state-of-incorporation": "DE", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "S-8", "act": "33", "file-number": "333-70779", "film-number": "99508168"}, "business-address": {"street1": "829 W STADIUM LANE", "city": "SACRAMENTO", "state": "CA", "zip": "95834", "phone": "9166463487"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "829 WEST STADIUM LANE", "city": "SACRAMENTO", "state": "CA", "zip": "95834"}}
1
    As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 19, 1999
                                                  Registration No. 333-

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                    FORM S-8

                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT

                                      UNDER

                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

                        INTEGRATED SURGICAL SYSTEMS, INC.
             (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

                                    DELAWARE
         (State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)

                                   68-0232575
                      (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

                            1850 RESEARCH PARK DRIVE
                          DAVIS, CALIFORNIA 95616-4884
                                 (530) 792-2600
               (Address, including zip code, and telephone number,
        including area code, of registrant's principal executive offices)

                             1998 STOCK OPTION PLAN
                          EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
                           (Full Title of the Plans)

                              DR. RAMESH C. TRIVEDI
                            1850 RESEARCH PARK DRIVE
                          DAVIS, CALIFORNIA 95616-4884
                                 (530) 792-2600
            (Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number,
                   including area code, of agent for service)

                          A copy of all communications,
                      including communications sent to the
                      agent for service should be sent to:

                                JACK BECKER, ESQ.
                             SNOW BECKER KRAUSS P.C.
                                605 THIRD AVENUE
                            NEW YORK, N.Y. 10158-0125
                                 (212) 687-3860
2

                         CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Proposed Maximum         Proposed
   Title of Each Class                                Offering              Maximum           Amount of
   of Securities to be        Amount to be             Price               Aggregate        Registration
        Registered             Registered            Per Share          Offering Price           Fee
   -------------------        ------------        ----------------      --------------      ------------
Stock Options                  850,000(1)                -                     -                   (2)

Interests                      300,000(3)                -                     -                   (2)

Common Stock, par              417,502(4)(5)           $3.12(6)         $1,302,606          $362.12
value $.01 per
share

Common Stock, par              732,498(7)(5)           $3.625(8)        $2,655,305          $738.17
value $.01 per                                                                              -------
share

         
        Total.........................................................................    $1,100.29      
                                                                                          =========
(1)      Represents options granted or to be granted pursuant to the 1998 Stock
         Option Plan (the "1998 Option Plan") of Integrated Surgical Systems,
         Inc. (the "Registrant"). Each option entitles the holder thereof to
         purchase one share of the common stock, $.01 par value (the "Common
         Stock"), of the Registrant.

(2)      No registration fee is required pursuant to Rule 457(h)(2).

(3)      Represents interests in the Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the "Purchase
         Plan") of the Registrant. Each interest represents one share of Common
         Stock.

(4)      Shares purchasable upon exercise of options previously granted pursuant
         to the 1998 Option Plan.

(5)      Includes an indeterminate number of shares of Common Stock which may
         become issuable pursuant to the antidilution provisions of the Plan.

(6)      Calculated solely for the purpose of determining the registration fee
         pursuant to Rule 457(h)(1) based upon the average exercise price.

(7)      Includes 132,498 shares purchasable upon exercise of stock options to
         be granted under the Plan and 300,000 shares purchasable pursuant to
         the Purchase Plan.

(8)      Calculated solely for the purpose of determining the registration fee
         pursuant to Rule 457(c) based upon the closing sale price for the
         Common Stock on The Nasdaq SmallCap Market on January 14, 1999.

                                EXPLANATORY NOTE

     This Registration Statement includes a form of prospectus to be used by 
certain persons who may be deemed to be affiliates of the Registrant in 
connection with the resale of shares of Common Stock received by such persons 
pursuant to the Registrant's Employee Stock Purchase Plan and upon exercise of 
options granted under the Registrant's 1998 Stock Option Plan, which shares are 
subject to this Registration Statement, and upon exercise of options granted 
under the Registrant's 1995 Stock Option Plan (as amended), which shares are 
subject to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-8, filed on 
January 12, 1998 (File No. 333-44093).
3
                                     PART II

               INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT

ITEM 3. INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE.

         The following documents filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission") by Integrated Surgical Systems, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Company" or the "Registrant"),are incorporated by reference
into this Registration Statement.

         (1) The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 1997.

         (2) The Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-QSB for the fiscal
quarters ended March 31, 1998, June 30, 1998 and September 30, 1998.

         (3) The description of common stock, par value $.01 per share, of the
Company (the "Common Stock") contained in the Company's Registration Statement
on Form 8-A (File No. 1-12471), filed pursuant to Section 12(g) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and any
amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such information.

             All documents subsequently filed by the Company pursuant to
Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act, as amended (the
"Exchange Act"), prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which
indicates that all securities offered have been sold or which deregisters all
securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by
reference herein and to be a part hereof from the date of filing of such
documents. Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be
incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded
for purposes of this Registration Statement to the extent that a statement
contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is
incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or
supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall
not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this
Registration Statement.

ITEM 4. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES.

         Not applicable.

ITEM 5. INTERESTS OF NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL.

         Not applicable.

ITEM 6. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.

         Article VI of the Registrant's by-laws provides that a director or
officer shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys' fees),
judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement (provided such settlement is
approved in advance by the Registrant) in connection with certain actions, suits
or 

                                          II-1
4
proceedings, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other
than an action by or in the right of the corporation--a "derivative action") if
he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not
opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any
criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct
was unlawful. A similar standard of care is applicable in the case of derivative
actions, except that indemnification only extends to expenses (including
attorneys' fees) incurred in connection with the defense or settlement of such
an action, except that no person who has been adjudged to be liable to the
Registrant shall be entitled to indemnification unless a court determines that
despite such adjudication of liability but in view of all of the circumstances
of the case, the person seeking indemnification is fairly and reasonably
entitled to be indemnified for such expenses as the court deems proper.

         Article 6.5 of the Registrant's by-laws further provides that directors
and officers are entitled to be paid by the Registrant the expenses incurred in
defending the proceedings specified above in advance of their final disposition,
provided that such payment will only be made upon delivery to the Registrant by
the indemnified party of an undertaking to repay all amounts so advanced if it
is ultimately determined that the person receiving such payments is not entitled
to be indemnified.

         Article 6.4 of the Registrant's by-laws provides that a person
indemnified under Article VI of the by-laws may contest any determination that a
director, officer, employee or agent has not met the applicable standard of
conduct set forth in the by-laws by petitioning a court of competent
jurisdiction.

         Article 6.6 of the Registrant's by-laws provides that the right to
indemnification and the payment of expenses incurred in defending a proceeding
in advance of its final disposition conferred in the Article will not be
exclusive of any other right which any person may have or acquire under the
by-laws, or any statute or agreement, or otherwise.

         Finally, Article 6.7 of the Registrant's by-laws provides that the
Registrant may maintain insurance, at its expense, to reimburse itself and
directors and officers of the Registrant and of its direct and indirect
subsidiaries against any expense, liability or loss, whether or not the
Registrant would have the power to indemnify such persons against such expense,
liability or loss under the provisions of Article VI of the by-laws. The
Registrant maintains and has in effect such insurance.

         Article 11 of the Registrant's certificate of incorporation eliminates
the personal liability of the Registrant's directors to the Registrant or its
stockholders for monetary damages for breach of their fiduciary duties as a
director to the fullest extent provided by Delaware law. Section 102(b)(7) of
the DGCL provides for the elimination off such personal liability, except for
liability (i) for any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the Registrant
or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which
involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) under
Section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law or (iv) for any transaction
from which the director derived any improper personal benefit.

                                       II-2
5
         Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
Act may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling the Company
pursuant to the foregoing provisions, the Company has been informed that in the
opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is
against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore
unenforceable.

ITEM 7. EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION CLAIMED

         Not Applicable.

ITEM 8. EXHIBITS.

EXHIBIT NO.                            DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBIT
-----------                            ----------------------

    4.1                 1998 Employee Stock Option Plan. *
                  
    4.2                 Employee Stock Purchase Plan. *
                  
    5.1                 Opinion of Snow Becker Krauss P.C.
                  
   23.1                 Consent of Snow Becker Krauss P.C.
                        (included in Exhibit 5.1 hereto).
                  
   23.2                 Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.
                  
   24.1                 Power of Attorney (included on the signature page of 
                        this Registration Statement).

-----------

         * Incorporated by reference to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form
10-KSB for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997.

ITEM 9. REQUIRED UNDERTAKINGS.

         The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that it will:

             (a)(1) File, during any period in which offers or sales are being
made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement to:

                     (i) Include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of
the Securities Act of l933;

                     (ii) Reflect in the prospectus any facts or events which,
individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the
information set forth in the Registration Statement. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the
total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was
registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum
offering 

                                      II-3
6
range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission
pursuant to rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price
represent not more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set
forth in the "Calculation of Registration Fee" table in the effective
Registration Statement.

                 (iii) Include any material information with respect to the plan
of distribution not previously disclosed in the Registration Statement or any
material change to such information in the Registration Statement; 

provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not apply if the
Registration Statement is on Form S-3 or Form S-8 and the information required
to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in
periodic reports filed by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of l934 that are incorporated by reference in the
Registration Statement.

             (2) For the purpose of determining any liability under the
Securities Act of 1933, such post-effective amendment shall be deemed a new
registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time to be the initial bona fide offering
thereof.

             (3) Remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment
any of the securities being registered that remain unsold at the of the
termination of the offering.

         (b) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the
Registrant's annual report pursuant to Section l3(a) or Section l5(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of l934 that is incorporated by reference in the
Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities
at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

         (c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling
persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise,
the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and
Exchange Commission such indemnification is against policy as expressed in the
Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for
indemnification against liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of
expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the
registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is
asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the
securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its
counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court
of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is
against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final
adjudication of such issue.

                                       II-4
7
PROSPECTUS

                        INTEGRATED SURGICAL SYSTEMS, INC.

                                  COMMON STOCK

The selling stockholders named in this prospectus are offering and selling
shares of common stock of Integrated Surgical Systems, Inc. which they have
acquired or may acquire upon exercise of options granted or to be granted under
our 1995 Stock Option Plan (as amended), 1998 Stock Option Plan, or Employee
Stock Purchase Plan.

The common stock is quoted on The Nasdaq SmallCap Market under the symbol
"RDOC", and is listed on the Pacific Exchange Incorporated under the symbol
"ROB". The common stock also has been admitted for trading on the European
Association of Securities Dealers' Automated Quotation system under the symbol
"RDOC". 

The common stock is a speculative investment and involves a high degree of risk.
You should read the description of certain risks under the caption "Risk
Factors" commencing on page__ before purchasing the common stock.

These securities have not been approved or disapproved by the SEC or any state
securities commission nor has the SEC or any state securities commission passed
upon the accuracy or adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the
contrary is a criminal offense.

                The date of this prospectus is January 19, 1999

Information Contained Herein Is Subject to Completion or Amendment. A
Registration Statement Relating to These Securities Has Been Filed With The
Securities And Exchange Commission. These Securities May Not Be Sold Nor May
Offers to Buy Be Sold Nor May Offers to Buy Be Accepted Prior to The Time The
Registration Statement Becomes Effective. This Prospectus Shall Not Constitute
an Offer to Sell or the Solicitation of an offer to Buy Nor Shall There Be Any
Sale of These Securities in Any State in Which Such offer, Solicitation or Sale
Would Be Unlawful Prior to Registration or Qualification under the Securities
Laws of Any State.
8
                               Table of Contents

                                                                      Page
                                                                      ----

Risk Factors                                                            3

Forward Looking Statements                                             11

Selling Stockholders                                                   12

Plan of Distribution                                                   14

Information About the Company                                          15

Legal Matters                                                          15

Experts                                                                15

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

This prospectus is part of a registration statement we filed with the SEC. You
should rely only on the information or representations provided in this
prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different
information. The common stock will not be offered in any state where an offer is
not permitted. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus is
accurate as of any date other than the date on the cover of this prospectus.

                                        2
9
 
                                  Risk Factors
 
ABILITY TO OPERATE PROFITABLY.  We have incurred losses since we commenced
operations in 1990. We incurred a net loss of approximately $4,478,000 (on net
sales of approximately $4,934,000) for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997
and a net loss of approximately $3,449,000 (on net sales of approximately
$2,280,000) for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996. We incurred a net loss
of approximately $7,454,000 (on net sales of approximately $4,188,000) for the
nine months ended September 30, 1998, as compared to a net loss of approximately
$2,851,000 (on net sales of approximately $2,818,000) for the nine months ended
September 30, 1997. As a result of continuing losses, our accumulated deficit
was approximately $31,049,000 at September 30, 1998. We expect to continue to
incur operating losses until such time, if ever, as we derive significant
revenues from the sale of our products. Our ability to operate profitably
depends upon market acceptance of our orthopaedic and neurosurgical products,
our development of an effective sales and marketing organization, and our
development of new products and improvements to existing products. Our ability
to market the ROBODOC System in the United States is dependent upon approval by
the Food and Drug Administration. See "Risk Factors -- U.S. Regulation by the
Food and Drug Administration." We cannot give you any assurance that we will
obtain FDA approval to market the ROBODOC System in the United States or that
our products will achieve market acceptance in the United States, Europe and
other foreign markets to generate sufficient revenues to become profitable.
 
DEPENDENCE ON PRINCIPAL PRODUCT.  For the near term, we expect to derive most of
our revenues from sales of the ROBODOC System. Accordingly, our potential future
success and financial performance will depend almost entirely on our ability to
successfully market the ROBODOC System. If we are unable to obtain the requisite
regulatory approvals or to achieve commercial acceptance of the ROBODOC System,
our business, financial condition and results of operations will be materially
and adversely affected. We have not obtained, and we cannot give you any
assurance that we will obtain, clearance or approval to market the ROBODOC
System in the United States. See "Risk Factors -- U.S. Regulation by the Food
and Drug Administration."
 
UNCERTAINTY OF MARKET ACCEPTANCE.  To successfully commercialize our systems we
must commit substantial marketing efforts and expend significant funds to inform
potential customers, including hospitals and physicians, of the distinctive
characteristics and advantages of using our systems instead of traditional
surgical tools and procedures. Since our systems employ innovative technology,
rather than being an improvement of existing technology, and represent a
substantial capital expenditure, we expect to encounter resistance to change,
which we must overcome to successfully market our products. If our systems do
not achieve significant market acceptance, our business, financial condition and
results of operations would be materially and adversely affected.
 
ALTERNATIVES TO OUR PRODUCTS.  The principal competition for the ROBODOC System
is manual surgery performed by orthopaedic surgeons, using surgical power tools
and manual devices. The providers of these instruments are the major orthopaedic
companies, which include Howmedica, Inc. (a subsidiary of Stryker Corporation),
located in New York; Zimmer, Inc. (a subsidiary of Bristol-Myers Squibb
Company), located in Indiana; Johnson & Johnson Orthopaedics, Inc. (a subsidiary
of Johnson & Johnson), located in New Jersey; DePuy, Inc. (a subsidiary of
Johnson & Johnson) located in Indiana; Biomet, Inc., located in Indiana; and
Osteonics, Inc. (a subsidiary of the Stryker Corporation), located in New
Jersey. MAQUET, a manufacturer of operating tables located in Germany, has
announced that it intends to market a device similar to the ROBODOC System. The
principal competition for the NeuroMate System are frame-based and frameless
navigators, which are manually operated. Approximately twenty navigator models
have been introduced, including those by Radionics, Sofamor-Danek and Ohio
Medical Surgical products, all located in the United States; Elekta, located in
Sweden; and Fischer Leibingher and Brain Lab, both located in Germany. In
general, there are companies in the medical products industry capable of
developing and marketing computer-controlled robotic systems for surgical
applications, many of whom have significantly greater financial, technical,
manufacturing, marketing and distribution resources than us, and have
 
                                        3
10
 
established reputations in the medical device industry. Furthermore, we cannot
give you any assurance that IBM or the University of California, which developed
the technology embodied in the ROBODOC System and hold patents relating thereto,
will not enter the market or license the technology to other companies.
 
We cannot give you any assurance that future competition will not have a
material adverse effect on our business. The cost of our systems represents a
significant capital expenditure for a customer and accordingly may discourage
purchases by certain customers.
 
U.S. REGULATION BY THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION.  The FDA regulates the
clinical testing, manufacture, labeling, sale, distribution and promotion of
medical devices in the United States. Noncompliance with applicable requirements
can result in, among other things, fines, injunctions, civil penalties, recall
or seizure of products, total or partial suspension of production, failure of
the government to grant pre-market clearance or pre-market approval for devices,
withdrawal of marketing clearances or approvals, and criminal prosecution. The
FDA also has the authority to request recall, repair, replacement or refund of
the cost of any device that we manufacture or distribute. If we fail to comply
with regulatory requirements, including any future changes to such requirements,
our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially
and adversely affected.
 
     - Need to Obtain FDA Approval to Market ROBODOC System in the United
       States.  Before a new medical device can be introduced into the U.S.
       market, the manufacturer must obtain FDA permission to market through
       either the 510(k) pre-market notification process for medical devices
       which are substantially similar to other approved medical devices or the
       costlier, lengthier and less certain pre-market approval application
       process. Following a pre-filing meeting with representatives of the FDA
       in early 1998, we stated that we intended to file our pre-market approval
       application to market the ROBODOC System with the FDA in the second
       quarter of 1998. As a result of further discussions with representatives
       of the FDA as part of the pre-submission review process (which process is
       intended to expedite the FDA's formal pre-market approval process), we
       have deferred the filing of our pre-market approval application with the
       FDA so that we may incorporate our DigiMatch Single Surgery System, and
       possibly other technical developments, as part of our pre-market approval
       application. We believe, based upon our discussions with representatives
       of the FDA, that the incorporation of the DigiMatch Single Surgery System
       will enhance our prospects for obtaining FDA approval. However, we cannot
       give you any assurance as to when or if the FDA will grant pre-market
       approval for the ROBODOC System or that such approval, if obtained, will
       not include unfavorable limitations or restrictions.
 
       New surgical applications for the ROBODOC System generally will require
       FDA clearance through the 510(k) pre-market notification process or
       approval of a new 510(k) notice or a pre-market approval supplement or,
       possibly, a new pre-market approval application. We also are likely to
       require additional FDA approvals, supported by additional clinical data,
       before incorporating new imaging modalities such as ultrasound and MRI or
       other different technologies in the ROBODOC System.
 
     - Ability to Demonstrate Safety and Effectiveness of ROBODOC System.  In
       order to obtain FDA clearance or approval, we must demonstrate that the
       ROBODOC System is safe and effective, and we may be required to show a
       clinical benefit to patients. We believe that a reduced incidence of
       intraoperative fractures with the ROBODOC System compared to conventional
       total hip replacement surgery would offer an important benefit. The
       number of patients enrolled in our U.S. clinical study is less than the
       300 patients (150 ROBODOC System; 150 control group) we initially
       requested to study in our investigational device exemption application to
       the FDA. Nonetheless, over 3,300 primary surgeries have been performed
       with the ROBODOC System in the U.S. clinical trial and the European
       treatment population without a single reported intraoperative fracture.
       Since the observed fracture rate in the control group in the U.S.
       clinical trial was lower than anticipated, the data from this study are
       not sufficient to establish a statistically significant reduction in
 
                                        4
11
 
       intraoperative fractures compared to the control group. Nevertheless, the
       data from both the U.S. and the European group of patients suggest that
       the ROBODOC System reduces intraoperative fractures when compared to the
       fracture rate of approximately 3 to 28 percent for conventional surgery
       reported in the scientific and medical literature. However, we cannot
       give you any assurance that the FDA will agree that the ROBODOC System
       offers a clinically significant reduction in intraoperative fractures, in
       the absence of a controlled trial demonstrating such a reduction, or that
       such a reduction is of clinical benefit to patients.
 
       The FDA has advised us that it believes long-term functional assessments
       are the primary endpoints for evaluating the safety and effectiveness of
       the ROBODOC System. Our preliminary review of the functional assessment
       data from the U.S. clinical trial shows equivalence between the ROBODOC
       System and conventional surgery. We believe that achieving better implant
       fit and alignment in the femoral cavity are significant factors in the
       success of cementless total hip replacement surgery, although the FDA has
       questioned whether fit is an appropriate endpoint and has not addressed
       alignment.
 
       Our most recent statistical analysis of fit and alignment parameters from
       3-month radiographs showed that the ROBODOC System surgeries produced
       better fit and alignment when compared to conventional surgeries. We
       believe a more accurate fit of the prosthesis reflects the implant
       manufacturers' design goals for implant cavity preparation. We also
       reviewed 24-month radiographs evaluating prosthesis stability. We cannot
       give you any assurance that the FDA will accept our data that
       demonstrates the ROBODOC System achieves better implant fit, alignment
       and stability, or that the FDA will agree that better fit and alignment
       are significant surgical endpoints. In addition, we cannot give you any
       assurance that the FDA will agree that the greater surgery time and blood
       loss associated with the ROBODOC System does not pose a significant
       safety concern or create an unfavorable risk/benefit ratio. Further, we
       cannot give you any assurance that the FDA will not require us to obtain
       additional clinical data from a randomized, controlled trial to resolve
       any concern about the risk/benefit ratio offered by the ROBODOC System.
       If we must obtain such additional data, the FDA review process could be
       prolonged by several years.
 
       In February 1995, a law firm specializing in FDA regulatory matters
       examined an interim report of preliminary data and concluded that it was
       doubtful that the FDA would find that the device was safe and effective
       for its intended use, or provided a therapeutic benefit, sufficient to
       permit pre-market approval, if the FDA were presented with the then
       existing preliminary data or future data qualitatively similar to the
       preliminary data. We believe that the additional data analyzed subsequent
       to the law firm's February 1995 report address many of the concerns
       identified in that report. These data and analyses include
       non-radiographic clinical follow-up data from the U.S. trial, preliminary
       analysis and review by an outside radiologist and an outside
       biostatistician of 3-month, 12-month and 24-month radiographic films from
       the U.S. clinical trial. We cannot give you any assurance that the data,
       once fully analyzed and reviewed, will demonstrate that the ROBODOC
       System is safe and effective for its intended use, provides a clinical
       benefit, or has an acceptable risk/benefit ratio in light of increased
       surgery time and intraoperative blood loss. In addition, our Director of
       Regulatory Affairs and Quality Assurance resigned in September 1996 and
       subsequently asserted that one of the reasons for his resignation was his
       concern, similar to that expressed in the February 1995 law firm report,
       about the adequacy of our clinical data to support product approval.
 
       If the FDA concludes that the existing clinical data are insufficient to
       establish the safety and efficacy of the ROBODOC System, the FDA could
       require us to obtain additional clinical data from a randomized,
       controlled trial, which could significantly delay completion of the
       pre-market approval review process, and accordingly have a material
       adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of
       operations.
 
                                        5
12
 
     - No Assurance of Approvals; Subsequent Review of Approvals.  We cannot
       give you any assurance that any of our current or future products will
       obtain required FDA approvals on a timely basis, or at all, or that we
       will have the necessary resources to obtain such approvals. If any of our
       products are not approved for use in the United States, we will be
       limited to marketing them in foreign countries. Furthermore, approvals
       that have been or may be granted are subject to continual review, and
       later discovery of previously unknown problems can result in product
       labeling restrictions or withdrawal of the product from the market.
 
     - Adverse Effect of Delays or Loss of Approvals.  If we experience delays
       in the receipt of, or fail to receive, FDA approvals or clearances, or
       lose any previously received approvals or clearances, or the FDA imposes
       limitations on intended use as a condition of such approvals or
       clearances, our business, financial condition and results of operations
       could be materially and adversely affected.
 
     - Compliance with Quality System and other FDA Reporting and Inspection
       Requirements. Assuming we obtain the necessary FDA approvals and
       clearances for our products, in order to maintain such approvals and
       clearances we must, among other things, register our establishment and
       list our devices with the FDA and with certain state agencies, maintain
       extensive records, report any adverse experiences on the use of our
       products and submit to periodic inspections by the FDA and certain state
       agencies. The Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act also requires devices to be
       manufactured in accordance with the quality system regulation, which sets
       forth good manufacturing practices requirements with respect to
       manufacturing and quality assurance activities. The quality system
       regulation revises the previous good manufacturing practices regulation
       and imposes certain enhanced requirements that are likely to increase the
       cost of compliance, including design controls.
 
     - Modifications to Cleared Devices.  We have made certain minor
       modifications to the ORTHODOC and the NeuroMate System which we do not
       believe require the submission of new 510(k) notices. However, we cannot
       give you any assurance that the FDA would agree with any of our
       determinations not to submit a new 510(k) notice for any of these changes
       or would not require us to submit a new 510(k) notice for any of the
       changes made to the device. If the FDA requires us to submit a new 510(k)
       notice for any device modification, we may be prohibited from marketing
       the modified device until the 510(k) notice is cleared by the FDA.
 
FOREIGN REGULATION.  The introduction of our products in foreign markets has
subjected and will continue to subject us to foreign regulatory clearances,
which may be unpredictable and uncertain, and which may impose substantial
additional costs and burdens. Many countries also impose product standards,
packaging requirements, labeling requirements and import restrictions on
devices. We cannot give you any assurance that any of our products will receive
further approvals or clearances, if required on a timely basis, or at all.
 
UNCERTAINTY REGARDING PATENTS AND PROTECTION OF PROPRIETARY TECHNOLOGY.  Our
ability to compete successfully may depend, in part, on our ability to obtain
and protect patents, protect trade secrets and operate without infringing the
proprietary rights of others. Certain robotic medical technology underlying our
products is the subject of a United States patent issued to IBM, which IBM has
agreed not to enforce against the manufacture and sale of our products. We have
been issued four U.S. patents and filed seven patent applications covering
various aspects of our technology.
 
Our U.S. patents include
 
          - Computer assisted software system for planning and performing hip
            revision surgery
 
          - Computer assisted system and method for creating cavities in the
            femur that will accept a prosthesis
 
          - Computer system and method for creating a pre-operative surgical
            plan for hip replacement surgery
 
          - Method for orienting real patient anatomy to a digital image of the
            patient's anatomy
                                        6
13
 
We cannot give you any assurance that our pending or future patent applications
will mature into issued patents, or that we will continue to develop our own
patentable technologies. Further, we cannot give you any assurance that any
patents that may be issued to us effectively protect our technology or provide a
competitive advantage for our products or will not be challenged, invalidated,
or circumvented in the future. In addition, we cannot give you any assurance
that competitors, many of which have substantially more resources than us and
have made substantial investments in competing technologies, will not obtain
patents that will prevent, limit or interfere with our ability to make, use or
sell our products either in the United States or internationally.
 
The medical device industry has been characterized by substantial competition
and litigation regarding patent and other proprietary rights. We intend to
vigorously protect and defend our patents and other proprietary rights relating
to our proprietary technology. Litigation alleging infringement claims against
us (with or without merit), or instituted by us to enforce patents and to
protect trade secrets or know-how owned by us or to determine the
enforceability, scope and validity of the proprietary rights of others, is
costly and time consuming. If any relevant claims of third-party patents are
upheld as valid and enforceable in any litigation or administrative proceedings,
we could be prevented from practicing the subject matter claimed in such
patents, or could be required to obtain licenses from the patent owners of each
patent, or to redesign our products or processes to avoid infringement. We
cannot give you any assurance that such licenses would be available or, if
available, would be available on terms acceptable to us or that we would be
successful in any attempt to redesign our products or processes to avoid
infringement. Accordingly, an adverse determination in a judicial or
administrative proceeding or failure to obtain necessary licenses could prevent
us from manufacturing and selling our products, which would have a material
adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
LIMITED PRODUCTION EXPERIENCE.  Our success will depends in part on our ability
to assemble our products in a timely, cost-effective manner and in compliance
with good manufacturing practices, and manufacturing requirements of other
countries, including the International Standards Organization 9000 standards and
other regulatory requirements. The assembly of our products is a complex
operation involving a number of separate processes and components. Our
production activities to date have consisted primarily of assembling limited
quantities of systems for use in clinical trials and systems for commercial
sale. We do not have experience in assembling our products in larger commercial
quantities. Furthermore, as a condition to receipt of pre-market approval, our
facilities, procedures and practices will be subject to pre-approval and ongoing
good manufacturing practices inspections by the FDA.
 
Manufacturers often encounter difficulties in scaling up manufacturing of new
products, including problems involving product yields, quality control and
assurance, component and service availability, adequacy of control policies and
procedures, lack of qualified personnel, compliance with FDA regulations, and
the need for further FDA approval of new manufacturing processes and facilities.
We cannot give you any assurance that production yields, costs or quality will
not be adversely affected as we seek to increase production, and any such
adverse effect could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial
condition and results of operations.
 
DEPENDENCE ON SUPPLIER FOR ROBOT.  Although we have multiple sources for most of
our components, parts and assemblies used in the ROBODOC and NeuroMate Systems,
we are dependent on Sankyo Seiki of Japan for the ROBODOC System robot arm and
Audemars-Piguet of Switzerland for the supply of the customized NeuroMate robot.
Although we can obtain the robot for either the ROBODOC System or the NeuroMate
System from other suppliers, with appropriate modifications and engineering
effort, we cannot give you any assurance that delays resulting from the required
modifications or engineering effort to adapt alternative components would not
have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results
of operations.
 
RELIANCE ON FOREIGN SALES.  Since we commenced operations, substantially all of
our sales have been to customers in Germany, Austria, France and Japan. We
believe that until such time, if ever, as we receive
 
                                        7
14
 
approval from the FDA to market the ROBODOC System in the United States,
substantially all of our sales for the ROBODOC System will be derived from
customers in foreign markets. Foreign sales are subject to certain risks,
including economic or political instability, shipping delays, fluctuations in
foreign currency exchange rates, changes in regulatory requirements, custom
duties and export quotas and other trade restrictions, any of which could have a
material adverse effect on our business. To date, payment for substantially all
ROBODOC Systems in Europe has been fixed in U.S. Dollars. However, we cannot
give you any assurance that in the future customers will be willing to make
payment for our products in U.S. Dollars. If the U.S. Dollar strengthens
substantially against the foreign currency of a country in which we sell our
products, the cost of purchasing our products in U.S. Dollars would increase and
may inhibit purchases of our products by customers in that country. We are
unable to predict the nature of future changes in foreign markets or the effect,
if any, they might have on us.
 
UNCERTAINTY CONCERNING THIRD PARTY REIMBURSEMENT.  We expect that our ability to
successfully commercialize our products will depend significantly on the
availability of reimbursement for surgical procedures using our products from
third-party payors, such as governmental programs, private insurance and private
health plans. Reimbursement is a significant factor considered by hospitals in
determining whether to acquire new equipment. Notwithstanding FDA approval, if
granted, third-party payors may deny reimbursement if the payor determines that
a therapeutic medical device is unnecessary, inappropriate, not cost-effective
or experimental or is used for a nonapproved indication. Although we are not
aware of any potential customer that has declined to purchase the ROBODOC System
based upon third party reimbursement policies, cost control measures adopted by
third-party payors may have a significant effect on surgeries performed with the
ROBODOC System or as to the levels of reimbursement. We cannot give you any
assurance that levels of reimbursement, if any, will not be decreased in the
future, or that future legislation, regulation, or reimbursement policies of
third-party payors will not otherwise adversely affect the demand for our
products or our ability to sell our products on a profitable basis. Fundamental
reforms in the healthcare industry in the United States and Europe that could
affect the availability of third-party reimbursement continue to be proposed,
and we cannot predict the timing or effect of any such proposal. If third-party
payor coverage or reimbursement is unavailable or inadequate, our business,
financial condition and results of operation could be materially and adversely
affected.
 
LENGTHY SALES CYCLE.  Since the purchase of a ROBODOC System or NeuroMate System
represents a significant capital expenditure for a customer, the placement of
orders may be delayed due to customers' internal procedures to approve large
capital expenditures. We anticipate that the period between initial contact of a
customer for a system and submission of a purchase order by that customer could
be as long as 9 to 12 months. Furthermore, the current lead time required by the
supplier of the robot for either the ROBODOC System or the NeuroMate System is
approximately four months after receipt of the order. We may be required to
expend significant cash resources to fund our operations until the purchase
price is paid. Accordingly, we may not recognize the sales price of a system
until a fiscal quarter subsequent to the fiscal quarter in which we incurred
marketing and sales expenses associated with an order.
 
ABILITY TO MANAGE GROWTH.  We plan to expand our sales and marketing, research
and development and technical personnel to increase and support sales of systems
and to develop additional surgical applications for our orthopaedic and
neurosurgical systems. Our anticipated growth will likely result in new and
increased responsibilities for management personnel and place significant strain
upon our management, operating and financial systems and resources. To
accommodate such growth and compete effectively, we must continue to implement
and improve our operational, financial, management and information systems,
procedures and controls, and to expand, train, motivate and manage our
personnel. We cannot give you any assurance that our personnel, systems,
procedures and controls will be adequate to support our future operations. If we
fail to implement and improve our operational, financial, management and
information systems, procedures or controls, or to expand, train, motivate or
manage our employees, our business, financial condition and results of
operations could be materially and adversely affected.
 
                                        8
15
 
NEED FOR ADDITIONAL FINANCING.  Although we believe that we have sufficient
funding to finance our operations through 1999, we cannot give you any assurance
that additional financing will not be needed at an earlier date. This will
depend upon our ability to generate sufficient sales of our products and the
timing of required expenditures. We cannot give you any assurance that if we
need additional financing in the future, such financing will be available on
acceptable terms, if at all.
 
PRODUCT LIABILITY.  The manufacture and sale of medical products exposes us to
the risk of significant damages from product liability claims. Although we
maintain product liability insurance against product liability claims in the
amount of $5 million per occurrence and $5 million in aggregate, we cannot give
you any assurance that the coverage limits of our insurance policies will be
adequate or that such insurance can be maintained at acceptable costs. Although
we have not experienced any product liability claims to date, a successful claim
brought against us in excess of our insurance coverage could have a materially
adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
DEPENDENCE ON KEY PERSONNEL.  Our business and marketing plan was formulated by,
and is to be implemented under the direction of, Dr. Ramesh C. Trivedi, Chief
Executive Officer and President. Dr. Trivedi is employed pursuant to an
employment agreement that may be terminated by either Dr. Trivedi or us at any
time. If we terminate Dr. Trivedi's employment other than for cause, we must pay
him his monthly salary (currently, $23,320) for a period of 18 months following
the date of termination. We maintain key-man insurance on the life of Dr.
Trivedi. Our growth and future success also will depend in large part on the
continued contributions of key technical and senior management personnel, as
well as our ability to attract, motivate and retain highly qualified personnel
generally and, in particular, trained and experienced professionals capable of
developing, selling and installing the Systems and training surgeons in their
use. Competition for such personnel is intense, and we cannot give you any
assurance that we will be successful in hiring, motivating or retaining such
qualified personnel. None of our executive or key technical personnel, other
than Dr. Trivedi, is employed pursuant to an employment agreement. The loss of
the services of Dr. Trivedi or other senior management or key technical
personnel, or the inability to hire or retain qualified personnel, could have a
material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of
operations.
 
OWNERSHIP OF SHARES BY MANAGEMENT.  Our executive officers and directors own
(directly or indirectly) 1,065,792 shares of common stock, or approximately 20%
of the outstanding shares of common stock. Although these securityholders may or
may not agree on any particular matter that is the subject of a vote of the
stockholders, these securityholders may be effectively able to control the
outcome of any issues which may be subject to a vote of securityholders,
including the election of directors, proposals to increase the authorized
capital stock, or the approval of mergers, acquisitions, or the sale of all or
substantially all of our assets.
 
LIMITATION ON DIRECTOR LIABILITY.  Our certificate of incorporation provides
that a director shall not be personally liable to the company or its
stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director,
with certain exceptions under Delaware law. This may discourage stockholders
from bringing suit against a director for breach of fiduciary duty and may
reduce the likelihood of derivative litigation brought by stockholders on behalf
of the company against a director. In addition, our by-laws provide for
mandatory indemnification of directors and officers.
 
ABSENCE OF DIVIDENDS.  Since inception, we have has not paid any dividends on
the common stock and do not anticipate paying such dividends in the foreseeable
future. We intend to retain earnings, if any, to finance our operations.
 
POSSIBLE VOLATILITY OF MARKET PRICE FOR THE COMMON STOCK.  From time to time and
in particular during the last several months, the stock market generally, and
the securities of technology companies in particular, have experienced a high
level of price and volume volatility, and market prices for the securities of
many companies have experienced wide price fluctuations not necessarily related
to the operating
 
                                        9
16
 
performance of such companies. We believe that factors such as announcement of
developments related to our business, announcements of technological innovations
or new products by us or our competitors, sales of our common stock in the
public market, and shortfalls or changes in the our financial results from
analysts' expectations could cause the price of the common stock to fluctuate
substantially. Our operating results and various factors affecting the medical
device industry generally also may significantly impact the market price of the
common stock.
 
SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE.  We cannot give you any assurance as to the
effect, if any, that future sales of common stock, or the availability of shares
of common stock for future sales, will have on the market price of the common
stock from time to time. Sales of substantial amounts of common stock, or the
possibility of such sales, could adversely affect the market price of the common
stock and also impair our ability to raise capital through an offering of equity
securities in the future. As of December 1, 1998, there were 5,643,372 shares of
common stock outstanding. Except for 1,039,792 shares of common stock
(representing approximately 18.4% of the outstanding common stock) owned by EJ
Financial Investments V, L.P., which may be sold in accordance with the volume
limitations of Rule 144, substantially all of the outstanding shares of common
stock are transferable without restriction under the Securities Act. An
additional
 
     -  1,760,000 shares are issuable upon conversion of our Series A preferred
        stock, at an assumed conversion price of $2.00 per share
 
     -  2,274,066 shares are issuable upon exercise of warrants owned by IBM at
        exercise prices ranging from $.01 to $.07
 
     -  2,091,986 shares are issuable upon exercise of warrants issued in our
        initial public offering at an exercise price of $5.47 per share
 
     -  1,321,058 shares are issuable upon exercise of stock options granted
        pursuant to our employee stock option plans at exercise prices ranging
        from $.07 to $8.63 per share
 
     -  408,155 shares are issuable upon exercise of warrants having exercise
        prices ranging from $4.31 to $7.42 per share
 
Substantially all of such shares (other than the shares issuable upon exercise
of the warrants owned by IBM), when issued, may be immediately resold in the
public market pursuant to effective registration statements under the Securities
Act or pursuant to Rule 144. In April 1998, we amended the warrants owned by IBM
to permit IBM to exercise them without the payment of cash for a lesser number
of shares, based upon the difference between the market price of the common
stock at the time of exercise and the exercise price, in which case such shares
could be sold immediately under Rule 144 since under applicable SEC
interpretations, the holding period under Rule 144 for shares acquired in this
manner includes the period for which the selling shareholder owned the warrants.
 
Certain securityholders have agreed to limit the number of shares they may sell:
 
     -  IBM has agreed to limit sales of shares acquired upon exercise of its
        warrants to the volume limitations of Rule 144, whether or not
        applicable, and has granted us or our designee a right of first refusal
        with respect to such sales.
 
     -  Former securityholders of Innovative Medical Machines International,
        S.A., which we acquired in September 1997 in exchange for shares of
        common stock, have agreed to limit future sales of shares under a
        currently effective registration statement to the volume limitations of
        Rule 144, except that during the period from December 6, 1998 through
        March 5, 1999, they may sell an aggregate of 100,000 shares plus 1% of
        the total number of shares of common stock traded on Nasdaq during the
        preceding three month period.
 
                                        10
17
 
We have granted registration rights to:
 
     -  The selling securityholders with respect to the shares of common stock
        covered by this prospectus.
 
     -  IBM, EJ Financial Investments V,L.P and certain other institutional
        investors owning or having the right to acquire 4,030,649 shares of
        common stock. These investors have agreed that they will not exercise
        these registration rights prior to May 21, 1999.
 
     -  Holders of warrants to purchase 166,837 shares of common stock issued in
        connection with our European offering in November 1997 have demand and
        piggyback registration rights for those shares.
 
     -  The holder of warrants to purchase 27,706 shares of common stock has
        piggyback registration rights for those shares, fully subordinated to
        the registration rights of our other securityholders.
 
DILUTIVE EFFECT OF CONVERSION OF SERIES A PREFERRED STOCK.  The conversion of
our series A preferred stock at a discount to the then prevailing market price
of the common stock, at an assumed conversion price of $2.00 per share, would
result in the issuance of up to 1,760,000 shares of common stock, or
approximately 23.8% of the outstanding shares, and consequently could have an
immediately adverse effect on the market price of the common stock, and will
have a dilutive impact on other stockholders.
 
POSSIBLE ADVERSE EFFECT OF OTHER ISSUANCES OF PREFERRED STOCK.  Our certificate
of incorporation authorizes the issuance of 1,000,000 shares of "blank check"
preferred stock, with designations, rights and preferences determined from time
to time by the Board of Directors. Accordingly, the Board of Directors is
empowered, without further stockholder approval, to issue preferred stock with
dividend, liquidation, conversion, voting or other rights that could adversely
affect the voting power or other rights of the holders of the common stock. In
the event of issuance, the preferred stock could be used, under certain
circumstances, as a method of discouraging, delaying or preventing a change in
control of the company, since the terms of the preferred stock that might be
issued could effectively restrict our ability to consummate a merger,
reorganization, sale of all or substantially all of its assets, liquidation or
other extraordinary corporate transaction without the approval of the holders of
the preferred stock. The series A preferred stock is the only series of
preferred stock outstanding.
 
                           Forward Looking Statements
 
Some of the information in this prospectus and the documents we incorporate by
reference may contain forward-looking statements. Such statements can be
identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may," "will,"
"expect," "believe," "intend," "anticipate," "estimate," "continue" or similar
words. These statements discuss future expectations, estimate the happening of
future events or our financial condition or state other "forward-looking"
information. When considering such forward-looking statements, you should keep
in mind the risk factors and other cautionary statements in this prospectus and
the documents that we incorporate by reference. The risk factors discussed in
this prospectus and other factors noted throughout this prospectus, including
certain risks and uncertainties, could cause our actual results to differ
materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement.
 
                                       11
18
                              Selling Stockholders

The following table sets forth the names of the selling stockholders, the number
of shares of common stock beneficially owned by each selling shareholder as of
December 1, 1998, the number of shares that each selling stockholder may offer,
and the number of shares of common stock beneficially owned by each selling
stockholder upon completion of the offering, assuming all of the shares are
sold. 

Participants under our 1995 Stock Option Plan, 1998 Stock Option Plan or
Employee Stock Purchase Plan that we consider "affiliates" who may acquire
common stock under the plans may be added to the list of selling stockholders
named below from time to time by use of a prospectus supplement filed pursuant
to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act. An "affiliate" is defined in Rule 405
under the Securities Act as a "person that directly, or indirectly, through one
or more intermediaries, controls or is controlled by, or is under common control
with," Integrated Surgical Systems, Inc.
Maximum Number of
                                                      Beneficial            Shares Subject to          Beneficial Ownership
                                                   Ownership Before        Outstanding Options             After Offering
                                                     Offering (1)             Which May be             --------------------
                                              -------------------------       Reoffered by               Number        
     Name                     Position        Number of Shares   %(2)      this Prospectus (3)         of Shares       %
     ----                     --------        ----------------  -------    -------------------         ---------       ----
Ramesh C. Trivedi      President, Chief        332,612(4)         5.6%         436,907                   4,000         *
                       Executive Officer
                       and a Director

Mark W. Winn           Chief Financial           1,000(5)         *             45,000                   1,000         *
                       Officer

James C. McGroddy      Chairman of the
                       Board and a              36,813(6)         *             33,666                  21,000         *
                       Director

Paul A.H. Pankow       Director                  5,057(7)         *              11,370                     0           -

Gerald D. Knudson      Director                  2,326(8)         *               7,000                     0           -

Patrick G. Hays        Director                  2,326(8)         *               7,000                     0           -
-------------

*        Less than one percent.

(1)      Unless otherwise indicated, each person has sole investment and voting
         power with respect to the shares indicated, subject to community
         property laws, where applicable.

(2)      For purposes of computing the number and percentage of shares
         beneficially owned by each selling stockholders on December 1, 1998,
         any shares which such selling stockholder has the right to acquire
         within 60 days after such date are deemed to be outstanding, but those
         shares are not deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of computing
         the percentage ownership of any other selling stockholder. On December
         1,1998, we had 5,643,372 shares of common stock outstanding.

                                       12
19
(3)      Does not include shares that may be acquired by the selling
         stockholders listed upon exercise of options which subsequently may be
         granted or purchased pursuant to the plans, which shares (if any) will
         be added to the number of shares listed by one or more supplements to
         this prospectus. Furthermore, the inclusion in this prospectus of the
         stated number of shares does not constitute a commitment to sell any or
         all of the stated number of shares. The number of shares offered shall
         be determined from time to time by each selling stockholder in his sole
         discretion.

(4)      Includes 4,000 shares owned by Dr. Trivedi and 328,612 shares that Dr.
         Trivedi may acquire upon the exercise of stock options exercisable
         within 60 days - 311,009 shares at an exercise price of $.07 per share
         and 17,603 at an exercise price of $3.00 per share. Dr. Trivedi may
         acquire an additional 108,295 shares upon exercise of stock options
         that become exercisable over the remaining term of the options at
         exercise prices ranging from $.07 to $3.00 per share.

(5)      Represents shares owned by Mr. Winn. Does not include 45,000 shares
         that Mr. Winn may acquire upon exercise of stock options at an exercise
         price of $3.00 per share. None of these options are exercisable within
         60 days.

(6)      Includes 20,000 shares owned by Dr. McGroddy, 1,000 shares beneficially
         owned by his daughter, and 15,813 shares that Dr. McGroddy may acquire
         upon exercise of stock options exercisable within 60 days -- 14,250
         shares at an exercise price of $5.00 per share, 688 shares at an
         exercise price of $5.625 and 875 shares at an exercise price of $3.938.
         Dr. McGroddy may acquire an additional 17,853 shares upon exercise of
         stock options that become exercisable over the remaining term of the
         options at exercise prices ranging from $5.00 to $5.625 per share.

(7)      Represents shares that Mr. Pankow may acquire upon exercise of stock
         options exercisable within 60 days -- 1,744 shares at an exercise price
         of $2.07 per share, 1,750 shares at an exercise price of $5.00 per
         share, 688 shares at $5.625 per share and 875 shares at an exercise
         price of $3.938 per share. Mr. Pankow may acquire an additional 6,313
         shares upon exercise of stock options that become exercisable over the
         remaining term of the options at exercise prices ranging from $2.07 to
         $5.625 per share.

(8)      Represents shares that the selling stockholder may acquire upon
         exercise of stock options exercisable within 60 days -- 1,451 shares at
         an exercise price of $5.625 per share and 875 shares at an exercise
         price of $3.938 per share. The selling stockholder may acquire an
         additional 4,674 shares upon exercise of stock options that become
         exercisable over the remaining term of the options at exercise prices
         ranging from $3.938 to $5.625 per share.

                                       13
20
                              Plan of Distribution

The selling stockholders (or, subject to applicable law, their pledgees,
donees, distributees, transferees or other successors in interest) may sell
shares from time to time in public transactions, on or off The Nasdaq SmallCap
Market, or private transactions, at prevailing market prices or at privately
negotiated prices, including but not limited to the following types of
transactions:

         -        ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which the
                  broker solicits purchasers;

         -        a block trade in which the broker-dealer so engaged will
                  attempt to sell the shares as agent but may position and
                  resell a portion of the block as principal to facilitate the
                  transaction;

         -        purchases by a broker or dealer as principal and resale by
                  such broker or dealer for its account pursuant to this
                  prospectus; and

         -        face-to-face transactions between sellers and purchasers
                  without a broker-dealer.

The selling stockholders also may sell shares that qualify under Section 4(1)
of the Securities Act or Rule 144.

In effecting sales, brokers or dealers engaged by the selling stockholders
may arrange for other brokers or dealers to participate in the resales. The
selling stockholders may enter into hedging transactions with broker-dealers,
and in connection with those transactions, broker-dealers may engage in short
sales of the shares. The selling stockholders also may sell shares short and
deliver the shares to close out such short positions. The selling
stockholders also may enter into option or other transactions with
broker-dealers which require the delivery to the broker-dealer of the shares,
which the broker-dealer may resell pursuant to this prospectus. The selling
stockholders also may pledge the shares to a broker or dealer and upon a
default, the broker or dealer may effect sales of the pledged shares pursuant to
this prospectus.

Brokers, dealers or agents may receive compensation in the form of commissions,
discounts or concessions from selling stockholders in amounts to be
negotiated in connection with the sale. The selling stockholders and any
participating brokers or dealers may be deemed to be "underwriters" within the
meaning of the Securities Act in connection with such sales and any such
commission, discount or concession may be deemed to be underwriting
compensation.

Information as to whether underwriters who may be selected by the selling
stockholders, or any other broker-dealer, is acting as principal or agent for
the selling stockholders, the compensation to be received by underwriters who
may be selected by the selling stockholders, or any broker-dealer, acting as
principal or agent for the selling stockholders and the compensation to be
received by other broker-dealers, in the event the compensation of such other
broker-dealers is in excess of usual and customary commissions, will, to the
extent required, be set forth in a supplement to this prospectus. Any dealer or
broker participating in any distribution of the shares may be required to
deliver a copy of this prospectus, including a prospectus supplement, if any, to
any person who purchases any of the shares from or through such dealer or
broker.

We have advised the selling stockholders that during such time as they may be
engaged in a distribution of the shares they are required to comply with
Regulation M promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act. With certain
exceptions, Regulation M precludes any selling securityholder, any affiliated
purchasers and any broker-dealer or other person who participates in such
distribution from bidding for or purchasing, or attempting to induce any person
to bid for or purchase any security which is the subject of the distribution
until the entire distribution is complete. Regulation M also prohibits any bids
or purchases made in order to stabilize the price of a security in connection
with the distribution of that security. All of the foregoing may affect the
marketability of the common stock.

                                       14
21

                          Information About The Company

At Integrated Surgical Systems, Inc., we develop, assemble, market and service
image-directed, computer-controlled robotic products for orthopaedic and
neurosurgical applications. Our principal orthopaedic product is the ROBODOC(R)
Surgical Assistant System, consisting of a computer-controlled surgical robot
and our ORTHODOC(R) Presurgical Planner, and our principal neurosurgical product
is the NeuroMate System (TM).

We file reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may
read and copy any document we file at the Public Reference Room of the SEC at
Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549 and at the
Regional Offices of the SEC at Seven World Trade Center, Suite 1300, New York,
New York 10048 and at 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois
60661-2511. Please call 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information concerning the
Public Reference Room. Our filings also are available to the public from the
SEC's website at www.sec.gov. We distribute to our stockholders annual reports
containing audited financial statements.

Information Incorporated By Reference

The SEC allows us to "incorporate by reference" the information we file with it,
which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring to
those documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be
part of this prospectus, and information we file later with the SEC will
automatically update and supersede this information. We incorporate by reference
the documents listed below and any future filings we make with the SEC under
Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act until the
offering is completed:

         1.       Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the fiscal year ended
                  December 31, 1997.

         2.       Proxy Statement dated March 26, 1998.

         3.       Quarterly Reports on Form 10-QSB for the fiscal quarters ended
                  March 31, 1998, June 30, 1998 and September 30, 1998.

         4.       The description of the common stock contained in our
                  Registration Statement on Form 8-A (File No. 1-12471) under
                  Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act, including any 
                  amendment or report updating that description.

You may request a copy of these filings, at no cost, by writing or calling us
at: 
                           INTEGRATED SURGICAL SYSTEMS
                            1850 Research Park Drive
                          Davis, California 95616-4884
                         Attention: Corporate Secretary
                            Telephone: (530) 792-2600

Recent Development

DIGIMATCH SINGLE SURGERY SYSTEM. We have developed and commenced marketing to
our customers in Europe our DigiMatch Single Surgery System, that, in most
cases, eliminates the need for an initial surgery to place registration pins in
a patient's femur before using the ROBODOC System in total hip replacement
surgery. More than 150 patient surgeries have been successfully performed at a
clinic in Frankfurt, Germany with our DigiMatch Single Surgery System.

We plan to amend our investigational device exemption under the Food, Drug and
Cosmetic Act, which allowed us to conduct clinical trials for the ROBODOC System
in the United States, to permit us to perform a relatively small clinical study
showing a correlation between the ROBODOC System using the DigiMatch technology
and the three pin system that we used in our initial clinical evaluations. We
have deferred the filing of our pre-market approval application to market the
ROBODOC System in the United States so that we may incorporate our DigiMatch
Single Surgery System, and possibly other technical developments, as part of our
pre-market approval submission with the Food and Drug Administration. We
believe, based upon our discussions with representatives of the FDA, that the
incorporation of the DigiMatch Single Surgery System will enhance our prospects
for obtaining FDA approval. However, we cannot give you any assurance as to when
or if the FDA will approve our pre-market approval application to market the
ROBODOC System or that such approval, if obtained, will not include unfavorable
limitations or restrictions. See "Risk Factors -- U.S. Regulation by the Food 
and Drug Administration."
                                  Legal Matters

The validity of the shares of common stock offered hereby has been passed upon
by Snow Becker Krauss P.C., 605 Third Avenue, New York, New York 10158.

                                     Experts

The consolidated financial statements of Integrated Surgical Systems, Inc. at
December 31, 1997 and for the years ended December 31, 1996 and 1997, appearing
in our Annual Report (on Form 10-KSB) for the year ended December 31, 1997 have
been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors, as set forth in their
report thereon incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial
statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such report
given upon the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

                                       15
22
                                   SIGNATURES

         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all
of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration
Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, hereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Davis, State of California, on January 15, 1999.

INTEGRATED SURGICAL SYSTEMS, INC.

By: s/ Ramesh C. Trivedi                         By: s/ Mark W. Winn
    ---------------------------                      ------------------------
    Ramesh C. Trivedi                                Mark W. Winn
    Chief Executive Officer                          Chief Financial Officer
       and President (Principal                      (Principal Financial and
       Executive Officer                                Accounting Officer)

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

         Each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and
appoints Ramesh C. Trivedi and Mark Winn, and each of them, his true and lawful
attorneys-in-fact and agents, with power of substitution and resubstitution, for
him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and
all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration
statement, and to file the same, with exhibits thereto and other documents in
connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby
ratifying all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or his substitute or
substitutes, or any of the, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue
hereof.

         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities indicated on January 15, 1999.

     Signature                        Title
     ---------                        -----

s/Ramesh C. Trivedi                   Chief Executive Officer,
------------------------------        President and Director 
Ramesh C. Trivedi                        (Principal Executive Officer)

s/Mark W. Winn                        Chief Financial Officer
------------------------------        (Principal Financial and
Mark W. Winn                             Accounting Officer)  

s/James C. McGroddy                   Chairman of the Board of Directors
------------------------------
James C. McGroddy

                                      Director
------------------------------
John N. Kapoor

s/Paul A.H. Pankow                    Director
------------------------------
Paul A.H. Pankow

s/Gerald D. Knudson                   Director
------------------------------
Gerald D. Knudson

                                      Director
------------------------------
Patrick G. Hays

                                      II-5
23
                                EXHIBIT INDEX

EXHIBIT NO.                            DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBIT
-----------                            ----------------------

    4.1                 1998 Employee Stock Option Plan. *
                  
    4.2                 Employee Stock Purchase Plan. *
                  
    5.1                 Opinion of Snow Becker Krauss P.C.
                  
   23.1                 Consent of Snow Becker Krauss P.C.
                        (included in Exhibit 5.1 hereto).
                  
   23.2                 Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.
                  
   24.1                 Power of Attorney (included on the signature page of 
                        this Registration Statement).

-----------

         * Incorporated by reference to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form
10-KSB for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997.