We define coherent states for SU(3) using six bosonic creation and annihilation operators. These coherent states are explicitly characterized by six complex numbers with constraints. For the completely symmetric representations (n,0) and (0,m), only three of the bosonic operators are required. For mixed representations (n,m), all six operators are required. The coherent states provide a resolution of identity, satisfy the continuity property, and possess a variety of group theoretic properties. We introduce an explicit parametrization of the group SU(3) and the corresponding integration measure. Finally, we discuss the path integral formalism for a problem in which the Hamiltonian is a function of SU(3) operators at each site. (C) 2001 American Institute of Physics.