<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-23
<SEQUENCE>3
<FILENAME>ex23.txt
<DESCRIPTION>EXHIBIT 23
<TEXT>

<PAGE>



                         Consent of Independent Auditors

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements
(Form S-8 Nos. 33-33791 and 33-23055) pertaining to the Becton, Dickinson and
Company Savings Incentive Plan and in the related prospectuses of our report
dated November 26, 2002, with respect to the financial statements and schedule
of the Becton, Dickinson and Company Savings Incentive Plan included in this
Annual Report (Form 11-K) for the year ended June 30, 2002.

New York, New York
December 13, 2002

                                                      /s/ Ernst & Young LLP
                                                      ---------------------



</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
