==============================================================================
                                 UNITED STATES
                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            Washington, D.C. 20549

                                 SCHEDULE 13D

                               Amendment No. 6

                   Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934*


                            LIFELINE SYSTEMS, INC.
                ------------------------------------------------
                                (Name of Issuer)

                    Common Stock, Par Value $0.02 per share
                ------------------------------------------------
                         (Title of Class of Securities)

                                  532192101
                ------------------------------------------------
                                (CUSIP Number)


                             George F. Hamel, Jr.
                             ValueAct Capital
                        One Maritime Plaza, Suite 1400
                           San Francisco, CA 94111
                              (415) 362-3700
                ------------------------------------------------
               (Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person
              Authorized to Receive Notices and Communications)

                               September 19, 2002
                ------------------------------------------------
           (Date of Event which Requires Filing of this Statement)

If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to
report the acquisition that is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing
this schedule because of Rule 240.13d-1(b)(e), 240.13d-1(f) or 240.13d-1(g)
check the following box [ ].

NOTE: Schedules filed in paper format shall include a signed original and five
copies of the schedule, including all exhibits.  See Rule 240.13d-7(b) for
other parties to whom copies are to be sent

*The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person's
initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities,
and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter
disclosures provided in a prior cover page.

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

=============================================================================


                                SCHEDULE 13D
--------------------------                          --------------------------
CUSIP NO. 532192101                                              Page 2 of 15
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. NAME OF REPORTING PERSON/S.S. OR I.R.S. INDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE
    PERSON (entities only)

     ValueAct Capital Partners, L.P.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 2.  CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*                 (a) [X]
                                                                       (b) [ ]
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 3.  SEC USE ONLY

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4. SOURCE OF FUNDS*
     WC*
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 5.  CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED
     PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e)                                        [ ]
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 6.  CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

     Delaware
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    7.  SOLE VOTING POWER
                        0
   NUMBER OF       -----------------------------------------------------------
   SHARES           8.  SHARED VOTING POWER
   BENEFICIALLY         1,012,034**
   OWNED BY EACH   -----------------------------------------------------------
   PERSON WITH      9.  SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
                        0
                   -----------------------------------------------------------
                   10.  SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
                        1,012,034**
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11.  AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

     1,012,034**
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12.  CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES
     CERTAIN SHARES                                                        [ ]
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13.  PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

     15.67%
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
14.  TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON

     PN
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*See Item 3
**See Item 2 and 5
                     *SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!
             INCLUDE BOTH SIDES OF THE COVER PAGE, RESPONSES TO ITEMS 1-7
               (INCLUDING EXHIBITS) OF THE SCHEDULE, AND THE SIGNATURE
                                ATTESTATION.


                                SCHEDULE 13D
--------------------------                          --------------------------
CUSIP NO. 532192101                                              Page 3 of 15
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1. NAME OF REPORTING PERSON/S.S. OR I.R.S. INDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE
    PERSON (entities only)

     ValueAct Capital Partners II, L.P.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 2.  CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*                 (a) [X]
                                                                       (b) [ ]
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 3.  SEC USE ONLY

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 4.  SOURCE OF FUNDS*
     WC*
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 5.  CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED
     PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e)                                        [ ]
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 6.  CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

     Delaware
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    7.  SOLE VOTING POWER
                        0
   NUMBER OF       -----------------------------------------------------------
   SHARES           8.  SHARED VOTING POWER
   BENEFICIALLY         86,874**
   OWNED BY EACH   -----------------------------------------------------------
   PERSON WITH      9.  SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
                        0
                   -----------------------------------------------------------
                   10.  SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
                        86,874**
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11.  AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

     86,874**
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12.  CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES
     CERTAIN SHARES                                                        [ ]
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13.  PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

     1.34%
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
14.  TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON

     PN
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*See Item 3
**See Item 2 and 5
                     *SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!
             INCLUDE BOTH SIDES OF THE COVER PAGE, RESPONSES TO ITEMS 1-7
               (INCLUDING EXHIBITS) OF THE SCHEDULE, AND THE SIGNATURE
                                ATTESTATION.

                                SCHEDULE 13D
--------------------------                          --------------------------
CUSIP NO. 532192101                                              Page 4 of 15
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1. NAME OF REPORTING PERSON/S.S. OR I.R.S. INDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE
    PERSON (entities only)

     ValueAct Capital International, Ltd.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 2.  CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*                 (a) [X]
                                                                       (b) [ ]
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 3.  SEC USE ONLY

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 4.  SOURCE OF FUNDS*
     WC*
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 5.  CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED
     PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e)                                        [ ]
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 6.  CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

     British Virgin Islands
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    7.  SOLE VOTING POWER
                        0
   NUMBER OF       -----------------------------------------------------------
   SHARES           8.  SHARED VOTING POWER
   BENEFICIALLY         160,192**
   OWNED BY EACH   -----------------------------------------------------------
   PERSON WITH      9.  SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
                        0
                   -----------------------------------------------------------
                   10.  SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
                        160,192**
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11.  AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

     160,192**
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12.  CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES
     CERTAIN SHARES                                                        [ ]
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13.  PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

     2.48%
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
14.  TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON

     PN
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*See Item 3
**See Item 2 and 5
                     *SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!
             INCLUDE BOTH SIDES OF THE COVER PAGE, RESPONSES TO ITEMS 1-7
               (INCLUDING EXHIBITS) OF THE SCHEDULE, AND THE SIGNATURE
                                ATTESTATION.

                                SCHEDULE 13D
--------------------------                          --------------------------
CUSIP NO. 532192101                                              Page 5 of 15
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1. NAME OF REPORTING PERSON/S.S. OR I.R.S. INDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE
    PERSON (entities only)

     VA Partners, L.L.C.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 2.  CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*                 (a) [X]
                                                                       (b) [ ]
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 3.  SEC USE ONLY

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 4.  SOURCE OF FUNDS*
     WC*
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 5.  CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED
     PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e)                                        [ ]
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 6.  CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

     Delaware
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    7.  SOLE VOTING POWER
                        0
   NUMBER OF       -----------------------------------------------------------
   SHARES           8.  SHARED VOTING POWER
   BENEFICIALLY         1,259,100**
   OWNED BY EACH   -----------------------------------------------------------
   PERSON WITH      9.  SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
                        0
                   -----------------------------------------------------------
                   10.  SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
                        1,259,100**
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11.  AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

     1,259,100**
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12.  CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES
     CERTAIN SHARES                                                        [ ]
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13.  PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

     19.49%
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
14.  TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON

     00 (LLC)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*See Item 3
**See Item 2 and 5
                     *SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!
             INCLUDE BOTH SIDES OF THE COVER PAGE, RESPONSES TO ITEMS 1-7
               (INCLUDING EXHIBITS) OF THE SCHEDULE, AND THE SIGNATURE
                                ATTESTATION.

                                SCHEDULE 13D
--------------------------                          --------------------------
CUSIP NO. 532192101                                              Page 6 of 15
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1. NAME OF REPORTING PERSON/S.S. OR I.R.S. INDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE
    PERSON (entities only)

     Jeffrey W. Ubben
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 2.  CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*                 (a) [X]
                                                                       (b) [ ]
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 3.  SEC USE ONLY

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 4.  SOURCE OF FUNDS*
     WC*
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 5.  CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED
     PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e)                                        [ ]
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 6.  CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

     Delaware
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    7.  SOLE VOTING POWER
                        0
   NUMBER OF       -----------------------------------------------------------
   SHARES           8.  SHARED VOTING POWER
   BENEFICIALLY         1,259,100**
   OWNED BY EACH   -----------------------------------------------------------
   PERSON WITH      9.  SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
                        0
                   -----------------------------------------------------------
                   10.  SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
                        1,259,100**
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11.  AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

     1,259,100**
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12.  CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES
     CERTAIN SHARES                                                        [ ]
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13.  PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

     19.49%
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
14.  TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON

     IN
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*See Item 3
**See Item 2 and 5
                     *SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!
             INCLUDE BOTH SIDES OF THE COVER PAGE, RESPONSES TO ITEMS 1-7
               (INCLUDING EXHIBITS) OF THE SCHEDULE, AND THE SIGNATURE
                                ATTESTATION.

                                SCHEDULE 13D
--------------------------                          --------------------------
CUSIP NO. 532192101                                              Page 7 of 15
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. NAME OF REPORTING PERSON/S.S. OR I.R.S. INDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE
    PERSON (entities only)

     George F. Hamel, Jr.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 2.  CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*                 (a) [X]
                                                                       (b) [ ]
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 3.  SEC USE ONLY

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 4.  SOURCE OF FUNDS*
     WC*
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 5.  CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED
     PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e)                                        [ ]
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 6.  CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

     Delaware
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    7.  SOLE VOTING POWER
                        0
   NUMBER OF       -----------------------------------------------------------
   SHARES           8.  SHARED VOTING POWER
   BENEFICIALLY         1,259,100**
   OWNED BY EACH   -----------------------------------------------------------
   PERSON WITH      9.  SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
                        0
                   -----------------------------------------------------------
                   10.  SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
                        1,259,100**
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11.  AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

     1,259,100**
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12.  CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES
     CERTAIN SHARES                                                        [ ]
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13.  PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

     19.49%
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
14.  TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON

     IN
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*See Item 3
**See Item 2 and 5
                     *SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!
             INCLUDE BOTH SIDES OF THE COVER PAGE, RESPONSES TO ITEMS 1-7
               (INCLUDING EXHIBITS) OF THE SCHEDULE, AND THE SIGNATURE
                                ATTESTATION.


                                SCHEDULE 13D
--------------------------                          --------------------------
CUSIP NO. 532192101                                              Page 8 of 15
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1. NAME OF REPORTING PERSON/S.S. OR I.R.S. INDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE
    PERSON (entities only)

     Peter H. Kamin
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 2.  CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*                 (a) [X]
                                                                       (b) [ ]
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 3.  SEC USE ONLY

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 4.  SOURCE OF FUNDS*
     WC*
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 5.  CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED
     PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e)                                        [ ]
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 6.  CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

     Delaware
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    7.  SOLE VOTING POWER
                        0
   NUMBER OF       -----------------------------------------------------------
   SHARES           8.  SHARED VOTING POWER
   BENEFICIALLY         1,259,100**
   OWNED BY EACH   -----------------------------------------------------------
   PERSON WITH      9.  SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
                        12,000
                   -----------------------------------------------------------
                   10.  SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
                        1,259,100**
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11.  AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

     1,271,100**
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12.  CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES
     CERTAIN SHARES                                                        [ ]
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13.  PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

     19.68%
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
14.  TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON

     IN
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*See Item 3
**See Item 2 and 5
                     *SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!
             INCLUDE BOTH SIDES OF THE COVER PAGE, RESPONSES TO ITEMS 1-7
               (INCLUDING EXHIBITS) OF THE SCHEDULE, AND THE SIGNATURE
                                ATTESTATION.


THE PURPOSE OF THIS AMENDMENT NO. 6 TO SCHEDULE 13D IS TO AMEND THE SCHEDULE
13D FILED BY THE REPORTING PERSONS ON AUGUST 10, 2001. THE INFORMATION BELOW
SUPPLEMENTS THE INFORMATION PREVIOUSLY PROVIDED.

ITEM 1.  SECURITY AND ISSUER.

         This Schedule 13D relates to shares of Common Stock, par value $0.02
par value per share (the "Common Stock"), of Lifeline Systems, Inc., a
Massachusetts corporation (the "Issuer").  The address of the principal
executive offices of the Issuer is 111 Lawrence Street, Framingham,
Massachusetts 01702-8156.

ITEM 2.  IDENTITY AND BACKGROUND.

         (a), (b), (c) and (f).  This Statement is filed jointly by
(a)ValueAct Capital Partners, L.P. ("ValueAct Partners"), (b) ValueAct
Capital Partners II, L.P. ("ValueAct Partners II"), (c) ValueAct Capital
International, Ltd. ("ValueAct International"), (d) VA Partners, L.L.C. ("VA
Partners"), (e) Jeffrey W. Ubben, (f) George F. Hamel, Jr. and (g) Peter H.
Kamin (collectively, the "Reporting Persons").

         ValueAct Partners and ValueAct Partners II are each Delaware limited
partnerships, the principal business of which is investing in securities.
ValueAct International is a Company organized in the British Virgin Islands.
The principal business of each entity is investing in securities.  Each has a
principal business address of One Maritime Plaza, Suite 1400, San Francisco,
California 94111.

         VA Partners is a Delaware limited liability company, the principal
business of which is to render investment management services to ValueAct
International and to serve as the General Partner of ValueAct Partners and
ValueAct Partners II. VA Partners has a principal business address of One
Maritime Plaza, Suite 1400, San Francisco, California 94111.

         Messrs. Ubben, Hamel and Kamin are each managing members, principal
owners and controlling persons of VA Partners, and directors and principal
executive officers of ValueAct International, and such activities constitute
their principal occupations.  Such individuals are sometimes collectively
referred to herein as the "Managing Members" or individually as a "Managing
Member". Each Managing Member is a United States citizen and has a principal
business address of One Maritime Plaza, Suite 1400, San Francisco, California
94111.

         (d) and (e).  None of the entities or persons identified in this Item
2 has during the past five years been convicted of any criminal proceeding
(excluding traffic violations or similar misdemeanors), nor been a party to a
civil proceeding of a judicial or administrative body of competent
jurisdiction and as a result of such proceeding was or is subject to a
judgment, decree or final order enjoining future violations of, or prohibiting
or mandating activities subject to,  federal or state securities laws or
finding any violation with respect to such  laws.

                               Page 9 of 15







ITEM 3.  SOURCE AND AMOUNT OF FUNDS OR OTHER CONSIDERATION.

         The source of funds used for the purchase of the Issuer's securities
was the working capital of ValueAct Partners, ValueAct Partners II and
ValueAct International. The aggregate funds used by the Reporting Persons to
make the purchases were $1,552,620.80, $252,175.16 and $125,589.96,
respectively.

ITEM 4.  PURPOSE OF TRANSACTION.

         The Reporting Persons have acquired the Issuer's Common Stock for
investment purposes, and such purchases have been made in the Reporting
Persons' ordinary course of business.

         In pursuing such investment purposes, the Reporting Persons may
further purchase, hold, vote, trade, dispose or otherwise deal in the Common
Stock at times, and in such manner, as they deem advisable to benefit from
changes in market prices of such Common Stock, changes in the Issuer's
operations, business strategy or prospects, or from sale or merger of the
Issuer.  To evaluate such alternatives, the Reporting Persons will routinely
monitor the Issuer's operations, prospects, business development, management,
competitive and strategic matters, capital structure, and prevailing market
conditions, as well as alternative investment opportunities, liquidity
requirements of the Reporting Persons and other investment considerations.
Consistent with its investment research methods and evaluation criteria, the
Reporting Persons may discuss such matters with management or directors of the
Issuer, other shareholders, industry analysts, existing or potential strategic
partners or competitors, investment and financing professionals, sources of
credit and other investors.  Such factors and discussions may materially
affect, and result in, the Reporting Persons' modifying their ownership of
Common Stock, exchanging information with the Issuer pursuant to appropriate
confidentiality or similar agreements, proposing changes in the Issuer's
operations, governance or capitalization, or in proposing one or more of the
other actions described in subsections (a) through (j) of this Item 4.

         The Reporting Persons reserve the right to formulate other plans
and/or make other proposals, and take such actions with respect to their
investment in the Issuer, including any or all of the actions set forth in
paragraphs (a) through (j) of Item 4 of Schedule 13D, or acquire additional
Common Stock or dispose of all the Common Stock beneficially owned by them, in
public market or privately negotiated transactions.  The Reporting Persons may
at any time reconsider and change their plans or proposals relating to the
foregoing.

ITEM 5.  INTEREST IN SECURITIES OF THE ISSUER

         (a), (b).  Set forth below is the beneficial ownership of shares of
Common Stock of the Issuer for each person named in Item 2.  Shares reported
as beneficially owned by each of ValueAct Partners, ValueAct Partners II and
ValueAct International are also reported as beneficially owned by VA Partners,
as investment manager or General Partner of each of such investment
partnerships, and by the Managing Members as controlling persons of the
General Partner. VA Partners and the Managing Members also, directly or



                               Page 10 of 15




indirectly, may own interests in one or both of such partnerships from time to
time. Unless otherwise indicated below, by reason of such relationships each
of the partnerships is reported as having shared power to vote or to direct
the vote, and shared power to dispose or direct the disposition of, such
shares of Common Stock with VA Partners and the Managing Members.

         ValueAct Partners is the beneficial owner of 1,012,034 shares of Common
Stock, representing approximately 15.67% of the Issuer's outstanding Common
Stock. ValueAct Partners II is the beneficial owner of 86,874 shares of Common
Stock, representing approximately 1.34% of the Issuer's outstanding Common
Stock. ValueAct International is the beneficial owner of 160,192 shares of
Common Stock, representing approximately 2.48% of the Issuer's outstanding
Common Stock.  VA Partners, Mr. Ubben and Mr. Hamel may be deemed the
beneficial owner of an aggregate of 1,259,100 shares of Issuer Common Stock,
representing approximately 19.49% of the Issuer's outstanding Common Stock.  In
addition to the 1,259,100 shares of Issuer Common Stock which Mr. Kamin may be
deemed to beneficially own by reason of his being a Managing Member, Mr. Kamin
also personally owns 12,000 shares of Common Stock (or, when combined with the
1,259,100 shares of Common Stock he may be deemed to beneficially own by reason
of his being a Managing Member, 19.68% of the Issuer's Common Stock).  All
percentages set forth in this Schedule 13D are based upon the Issuer's
reported 6,460,311 outstanding shares of Common Stock as reported in the
Issuer's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2002.

(c) The following transactions in the Issuer's Common Stock were effected
     by the Reporting Persons since the initial filing of this Schedule 13D.
     All such transactions represent open market transactions.

Reporting Person          Trade Date     Shares    Price/Share
----------   	             ---------      -------   -----------

ValueAct Partners         08-30-02        20,450      $23.00
                          09-05-02         3,500      $22.25
                          09-06-02         1,600      $22.50
                          09-09-02           300      $22.50
                          09-10-02        12,352      $22.50
                          09-11-02         5,726      $22.20
                          09-17-02         2,300      $22.04
                          09-18-02        10,000      $22.25
                          09-19-02         2,700      $21.90
                          09-20-02        10,000      $22.00

ValueAct Partners II      08-30-02         1,625      $23.00
                          09-04-02         1,000      $22.00
                          09-10-02           981      $22.50
                          09-11-02           455      $22.20
                          09-19-02         7,300      $21.90

ValueAct International    08-30-02         2,925      $23.00
                          09-10-02         1,767      $22.50
                          09-11-02           819      $22.20

(d) and (e)  Not applicable.

                               Page 11 of 15











ITEM 6.  CONTRACTS, ARRANGEMENTS, UNDERSTANDINGS OR RELATIONSHIPS WITH RESPECT
         TO SECURITIES OF THE ISSUER

         Other than as described elsewhere in this Report, the Reporting
Persons have no understandings, arrangements, relationships or contracts
relating to the Issuer's Common Stock which are required to be described
thereunder.

ITEM 7.  MATERIAL TO BE FILED AS EXHIBITS

1. Joint Filing Agreement







                               Page 12 of 15





                                  SIGNATURES

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

                             POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears
below on this Schedule 13D hereby constitutes and appoints Jeffrey W. Ubben,
George F. Hamel, Jr. and Peter H. Kamin, and each of them, with full power to
act without the other, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with
full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place
and stead, in any and all capacities (until revoked in writing) to sign any
and all amendments to this Schedule 13D, and to file the same, with all
exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and
agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and
every act and thing requisite and necessary fully to all intents and purposes
as he might or could do in person, thereby ratifying and confirming all that
said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them, or their or his substitute
or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.


                              ValueAct Capital Partners L.P., by
                              VA Partners, L.L.C., its General Partner

                              By:    /s/  George F. Hamel, Jr.
                                --------------------------------------
Dated:  September 23, 2002      George F. Hamel, Jr., Managing Member


                              ValueAct Capital Partners II L.P., by
                              VA Partners, L.L.C., its General Partner
                              By:    /s/  George F. Hamel, Jr.
                                --------------------------------------
Dated:  September 23, 2002      George F. Hamel, Jr., Managing Member


                              ValueAct Capital International, Ltd., by
                              VA Partners, L.L.C., its investment manager
                              By:    /s/  George F. Hamel, Jr.
                                --------------------------------------
Dated:  September 23, 2002      George F. Hamel, Jr., Managing Member

                               Page 13 of 15



                              VA Partners, L.L.C.

                              By:    /s/  George F. Hamel, Jr.
                                --------------------------------------
Dated:  September 23, 2002      George F. Hamel, Jr., Managing Member


                              By:    /s/  Jeffrey W. Ubben
                                --------------------------------------
Dated:  September 23, 2002      Jeffrey W. Ubben, Managing Member


                              By:    /s/  George F. Hamel, Jr.
                                --------------------------------------
Dated:  September 23, 2002      George F. Hamel, Jr., Managing Member


                              By:    /s/  Peter H. Kamin
                                --------------------------------------
Dated:  September 23, 2002      Peter H. Kamin, Managing Member

                               Page 14 of 15





                                   Exhibit A
                           JOINT FILING UNDERTAKING

The undersigned parties hereby agree that the Schedule 13D filed herewith (and
any amendments thereto) relating to the Common Stock of Lifeline Systems, Inc.
is being filed jointly on behalf of each of them with the Securities and
Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended.

                              ValueAct Capital Partners L.P., by
                              VA Partners, L.L.C., its General Partner
                              By:    /s/  George F. Hamel, Jr.
                                --------------------------------------
Dated:  September 23, 2002      George F. Hamel, Jr., Managing Member


                              ValueAct Capital Partners II L.P., by
                              VA Partners, L.L.C., its General Partner
                              By:    /s/  George F. Hamel, Jr.
                                --------------------------------------
Dated:  September 23, 2002      George F. Hamel, Jr., Managing Member


                              ValueAct Capital International, Ltd., by
                              VA Partners, L.L.C., its investment manager

                              By:    /s/  George F. Hamel, Jr.
                                --------------------------------------
Dated:  September 23, 2002      George F. Hamel, Jr., Managing Member


                              VA Partners, L.L.C.

                              By:    /s/  George F. Hamel, Jr.
                                --------------------------------------
Dated:  September 23, 2002      George F. Hamel, Jr., Managing Member


                              By:    /s/  Jeffrey W. Ubben
                                --------------------------------------
Dated:  September 23, 2002      Jeffrey W. Ubben, Managing Member


                              By:    /s/  George F. Hamel, Jr.
                                --------------------------------------
Dated:  September 23, 2002      George F. Hamel, Jr., Managing Member


                              By:    /s/  Peter H. Kamin
                                --------------------------------------
Dated:  September 23, 2002      Peter H. Kamin, Managing Member

                               Page 15 of 15