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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000950117-04-000316.txt : 20040126
<SEC-HEADER>0000950117-04-000316.hdr.sgml : 20040126
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040126114139
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000950117-04-000316
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	8-K
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040126
ITEM INFORMATION:		Other events
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040126

FILER:

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BECTON DICKINSON & CO
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000010795
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SURGICAL & MEDICAL INSTRUMENTS & APPARATUS [3841]
		IRS NUMBER:				220760120
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			NJ
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0930

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		8-K
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-04802
		FILM NUMBER:		04542577

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE BECTON DR
		CITY:			FRANKLIN LAKES
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			07417-1880
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2018476800

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE BECTON DR
		CITY:			FRANKLIN LAKE
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			07417
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>8-K
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>a36917.txt
<DESCRIPTION>BECTON, DICKINSON & COMPANY
<TEXT>
<PAGE>




                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549


                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT

                     Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
                         Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)  January 26, 2004
                                                  ----------------


                          BECTON, DICKINSON AND COMPANY

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

<TABLE>
<S>                                <C>                      <C>
           New Jersey                001-4802                   22-0760120
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    (State or other juris-         (Commission             (IRS Employer Iden-
   diction of incorporation)       File Number)            tification Number)


   1 Becton Drive, Franklin Lakes, New Jersey                   07417-1880
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    (Address of principal executive offices)                    (Zip Code)
</TABLE>


Registrant's telephone number, including area code          (201) 847-6800
                                                            --------------

                                       N/A
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        (Former name or former addresses if changed since last report.)




<PAGE>


Item 5.     Other Events and Regulation FD Disclosure.

            In the action entitled Retractable Technologies, Inc. vs.
Becton, Dickinson and Company, et al. (Civil Action No. 501 CV 036, United
States District Court, Eastern District of Texas), the Court, by order dated
January 23, 2004, reset the trial date in this action from February 3, 2004
to July 6, 2004.









<PAGE>

                                   SIGNATURES

            Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

                                             BECTON, DICKINSON AND COMPANY
                                                         (Registrant)



                                             By: /s/ Dean J. Paranicas
                                                ----------------------------
                                                      Dean J. Paranicas
                                                   Vice President, Corporate
                                                  Secretary and Public Policy


Date: January 26, 2004




</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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