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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000950131-01-001348.txt : 20010307
<SEC-HEADER>0000950131-01-001348.hdr.sgml : 20010307
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000950131-01-001348
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	8-K
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		2
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20010227
ITEM INFORMATION:		
ITEM INFORMATION:		
FILED AS OF DATE:		20010228

FILER:

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BAXTER INTERNATIONAL INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000010456
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SURGICAL & MEDICAL INSTRUMENTS & APPARATUS [3841]
		IRS NUMBER:				360781620
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		8-K
		SEC ACT:		
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-04448
		FILM NUMBER:		1557956

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE BAXTER PKWY
		CITY:			DEERFIELD
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60015
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8479482000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE BAXTER PARKWAY
		CITY:			DEERFIELD
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60015

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	BAXTER TRAVENOL LABORATORIES INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19880522

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	BAXTER LABORATORIES INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19760608
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>8-K
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>0001.txt
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 8-K
<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

                               February 27, 2001
                               -----------------
                                 Date of Report


                           BAXTER INTERNATIONAL INC.
                           -------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

                                    Delaware
                                    --------
                 (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)


            1-4448                                        36-0781620
    ----------------------                     --------------------------------
   (Commission file number)                    (IRS Employer Identification No.)


One Baxter Parkway, Deerfield, Illinois                        60015
- ---------------------------------------                       ------
(Address of principal executive offices)                    (Zip Code)




      Registrant's telephone number, including area code:  (847) 948-2000



________________________________________________________________________________

                                  Page 1 of 5
<PAGE>

Item 5.  Other Events.

         On February 27, 2001, Baxter International Inc. issued the attached
press release announcing a 2 for 1 stock split, contingent upon the shareholders
approving an increase in the number of authorized shares of common stock at the
annual meeting on May 1, 2001. The contingent record and distribution dates for
the stock split are May 9, 2001 and May 30, 2001, respectively.


Item 7. Exhibits

Exhibit No.  Exhibit
99           Press Release

                                  Page 2 of 5
<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 thereunto duly authorized.



                                    BAXTER INTERNATIONAL INC.
                                    ------------------------
                                           (Registrant)



                                    By: /S/ Jan Stern Reed
                                        ------------------
                                        Jan Stern Reed
                                        Corporate Secretary



Date:  February 28, 2001

                                  Page 3 of 5
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-99
<SEQUENCE>2
<FILENAME>0002.txt
<DESCRIPTION>PRESS RELEASE
<TEXT>

<PAGE>

                                                                      Exhibit 99


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
- ---------------------


Media contact:      Deborah Spak, (847) 948-2349


Investor contacts:  Neville Jeharajah, (847) 948-2875

                    Mary Kay Ladone, (847) 948-3371


BAXTER'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS APPROVES TWO-FOR-ONE COMMON STOCK SPLIT


     Deerfield, Ill., February 28, 2001 - Baxter International Inc. (NYSE:BAX)
today announced that its Board of Directors has approved a two-for-one split of
the company's common stock, subject to approval by shareholders of an increase
in the number of common shares the company is authorized to issue.

     Baxter's shareholders will be asked to approve an increase in the company's
authorized shares of common stock from the current 350 million to one billion at
Baxter's Annual Stockholders' Meeting on May 1, 2001.  Assuming that approval is
received, shareholders of record at the close of business on May 9, 2001 will
receive one share of Baxter common stock for each share they hold on that date.
The additional shares of common stock will be distributed on May 30, 2001.

     "Through our strategic investments in research and development,
acquisitions, and manufacturing capacity, as well as solid financial
performance, we are poised to expand Baxter's growth rate," said Harry M. Jansen
Kraemer, Jr. "We expect this stock split to

                                  Page 4 of 5
<PAGE>

make ownership of our company more accessible to investors and make it possible
for even more people to share in our future growth."

     Baxter's last common stock split occurred in 1983.

     Baxter will be holding its Annual Growth Conference for investors on March
15, 2001 in New York City. The conference will feature a strategic overview of
the company supplemented with in-depth sessions on Baxter's major businesses
and growth initiatives. The meeting will be available through a live web cast
that will be accessible from a link on Baxter's web site at www.baxter.com
                                                            --------------
beginning at 8:00 a.m. EST on March 15. Please refer to Baxter's web site for
additional information.

     Baxter International Inc. is a global medical products and services company
that provides critical therapies for people with life-threatening conditions.
Baxter's products and services in bioscience (biopharmaceuticals and blood
collection, separation and storage devices), medication delivery and renal
therapy are used by health-care providers and their patients in more than 100
countries.


This news release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and
uncertainties, including technological advances in the medical field, product
demand and market acceptance, the effect of economic conditions, actions of
regulatory bodies, the impact of competitive products and pricing, foreign
currency exchange rates and other risks detailed in the company's filings with
the Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements are
based on estimates and assumptions made by management of the company and are
believed to be reasonable, though are inherently uncertain and difficult to
predict. Actual results or experience could differ materially from the forward-
looking statements.
                                     # # #

                                  Page 5 of 5
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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