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 23, 2003
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                         BECTON, DICKINSON AND COMPANY

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           (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

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


  1 Becton Drive, Franklin Lakes, New Jersey                   07417-1880
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   (Address of principal executive offices)                    (Zip Code)
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Registrant's telephone number, including area code          (201) 847-6800
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                                      N/A
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       (Former name or former addresses if changed since last report.)







Item 5.     Other Events and Regulation FD Disclosure.

            On January 23, 2003 the Registrant announced in a press release its
            results for the first quarter ended December 31, 2002.

            A copy of the press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1.

Item 7.     Financial Statements and Exhibits.

            (c)  Exhibits.

                    Exhibit 99.1 Press release dated January 23, 2003
                                 announcing the financial results for the
                                 first quarter ended December 31, 2002.


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                                  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/ Gary DeFazio
                                              -----------------------
                                                  Gary DeFazio
                                                  Assistant Secretary


Date: January 23, 2003

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                               INDEX TO EXHIBITS
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<CAPTION>

  Exhibit
  Number              Description of Exhibits
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<S>                    <C>
  99.1                Press release issued January 23, 2003


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                          STATEMENT OF DIFFERENCES

The trademark symbol shall be expressed as.................................'TM'