The performances of M-ary signals using L-branch maximum ratio combining (MRC) diversity reception in correlated Nakagami fading channels are derived theoretically. The coherent reception of M-ary differential phase shift keying (MDPSK), phase shift keying (MPSK), and quadrature amplitude modulation (MQAM) is considered. It is assumed that the fading parameters in each diversity branch are identical. The general formula for evaluating symbol error rate (SER) of M-ary signals in the independent branch diversity system is presented using the integral-form expressions. Until now, results did not extend to the various M-ary case for a coherent reception. The numerical results presented in this paper are expected to provide information for the design of radio system using M-ary modulation method for above mentioned channel environment.