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 26, 1999
                                                  --------------


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

           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)


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

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



Item 5.      OTHER EVENTS
             ------------

             Press releases dated May 25, 1999.

             Attached hereto as Exhibits 99A and 99B, which are incorporated
             herein by reference, are copies of the press releases.



                                  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/ Bridget M. Healy
                                               ----------------------------
                                                   Bridget M. Healy
                                               Vice President and Secretary


Date: May 26, 1999

                                     - 2 -

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

   Exhibit
   Number              Description of Exhibits
   ------              -----------------------

    99A                Press release dated May 25, 1999.

    99B                Press release dated May 25, 1999.