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)       March 4, 2004
                                                --------------------------------


                          Varian Medical Systems, Inc.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)




       Delaware                     1-7598                 94-2359345
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(State or Other Jurisdiction    (Commission File         (IRS Employer
     of Incorporation)               Number)           Identification No.)


3100 Hansen Way, Palo Alto, CA                                 94304-1030
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)                        (Zip Code)


Registrant's telephone number, including area code       (650) 493-4000
                                                  ------------------------------


                                 Not Applicable
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          (Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)





Item 5.  Other Events and Regulation FD Disclosure.
         ------------------------------------------

     On March 4, 2004,  Varian  Medical  Systems,  Inc.  issued a press  release
regarding its  acquisition  of assets of OpTx  Corporation.  A copy of the press
release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated herein by reference.


Item 7.  Financial Statements and Exhibits.
         ----------------------------------

         (c)      Exhibits.
                  ---------

     99.1 Press Release dated March 4, 2004 regarding  Varian Medical Systems to
acquire assets of OpTx Corporation.


                                       2



                                   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.


                                                    Varian Medical Systems, Inc.


                                         By:  /s/ JOSEPH B. PHAIR
                                            ---------------------
                                         Name:    Joseph B. Phair
                                         Title:  Vice President, Administration,
                                                 General Counsel and Secretary



Dated:  March 4, 2004

                                       3



                                  EXHIBIT INDEX



        Number                   Exhibit
        ------                   -------

         99.1            Press Release dated March 4, 2004 regarding Varian
                         Medical Systems to acquire assets of OpTx Corporation.