The one-dimensional NiFe1.98RE0.02O4 (RE=Pr, Nd, Sm) nanowires have been fabricated by using sol-gel method, electrospinning technique and heat treatment technology. The structure, morphology and magnetic properties of NiFe1.98RE0.02O4 (RE=Pr, Nd, Sm) nanowires are characterized by X ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The result shows that the nanowires surface is smooth and the diameter of the nanowires is about 60 nm which is continuous and symmetrical. All samples present a pure phase spinel structure. Doping Pr3+, Nd3+ and Sm3+ respectively lower the crystallinity of NiFe2O4, and the grain size D decreases from 44.8 nm to 33.8 nm. NiFe1.98RE0.02O4 (RE=Pr, Nd, Sm) nanowires exhibit soft ferrimagnetic behavior. The saturation magnetization (Ms) of NiFe1.98RE0.02O4 (RE=Pr, Nd, Sm) nanowires are 39.58 emu·g-1, 41.10 emu·g-1, 34.23 emu·g-1; and the coercivity (Hc) of the nanowires are 176.49 Oe, 170.98 Oe, 199.22 Oe, respectively. Among them, the soft magnetic properties with the largest Ms (41.10 emu·g-1) and the smallest Hc (170.98 Oe) of NiFe1.98Nd0.02O4 nanowires is the best.