The Hilbert ideal is the ideal generated by positive degree invariants of a finite group. We consider the vector invariants of the natural action of S n . For S 2 we compute the reduced and universal Gröbner bases for the Hilbert ideal. As well, we identify all initial form ideals of the Hilbert ideal and describe its Gröbner fan. In modular characteristics, we show that the Hilbert ideal for S 3 can be generated by polynomials of degree at most three and the reduced Gröbner basis contains no polynomials that involve variables from four or more copies. Our results give support for conjectures for improved degree bounds and regularity conditions on the Gröbner bases for the Hilbert ideal of vector invariants of S n. © 2012 Heldermann Verlag.