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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000950117-04-001996.txt : 20040525
<SEC-HEADER>0000950117-04-001996.hdr.sgml : 20040525
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040525155633
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000950117-04-001996
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	8-K
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		2
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040525
ITEM INFORMATION:		Other events
ITEM INFORMATION:		Financial statements and exhibits
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040525

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:		04829975

	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>a37745.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)  MAY 25, 2004
                                                  ------------


                          BECTON, DICKINSON AND COMPANY
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

           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)


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.

         On May 25, 2004, the Registrant issued the press release
         that is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.

Item 7.  Financial Statements and Exhibits.

         (c) Exhibits.

              Exhibit 99.1  Press release dated May 25, 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: May 25, 2004






<PAGE>


                                INDEX TO EXHIBITS
                                -----------------


   Exhibit
   Number        Description of Exhibits
   ------        -----------------------
   99.1          Press release dated May 25, 2004.






</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-99
<SEQUENCE>2
<FILENAME>ex99-1.txt
<DESCRIPTION>EXHIBIT 99.1
<TEXT>

<Page>


Contact:
Colleen White, Corporate Communications - 201-847-5369
Patricia Spinella, Investor Relations - 201-847-5453


                           BD BOARD DECLARES DIVIDEND


Franklin Lakes, NJ (May 25, 2004) - The Board of Directors of BD (Becton,
Dickinson and Company) (NYSE:BDX) has declared a quarterly dividend of 15
cents per common share. The dividend will be payable on June 30, 2004 to
holders of record on June 9, 2004. The indicated annual dividend rate is
60 cents per share.

BD is a medical technology company that serves healthcare institutions, life
science researchers, clinical laboratories, industry and the general public. BD
manufactures and sells a broad range of medical supplies, devices, laboratory
equipment and diagnostic products. For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2003,
BD reported total revenues of $4.528 billion.




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