Provided herein are recombinant respiratory syncytial viruses that contain mutations that make the disclosed viruses attractive vaccine candidates. The viruses disclosed contain attenuating mutations designed to have increased genetic and phenotypic stability. Desired combinations of these mutations can be made to achieve desired levels of attenuation. Exemplary vaccine candidates are described. Also provided are polynucleotides capable of encoding the described viruses, as wells as methods for producing the viruses and methods of use.