SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                              -------------------

                                   FORM 11-K

                 ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d) OF THE
                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
[X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF
    1934
 
    For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2004
 
                                         OR
 
[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT
    OF 1934
 
    For the transition period from                to
 
    Commission file number 1-4802
 
                BECTON, DICKINSON AND COMPANY SAVINGS INCENTIVE PLAN
                            (FULL TITLE OF THE PLAN)

                         BECTON, DICKINSON AND COMPANY
            (NAME OF ISSUER OF SECURITIES HELD PURSUANT TO THE PLAN)
 
               1 Becton Drive
         Franklin Lakes, New Jersey                           07417-1880
  (ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER)                    (ZIP CODE)
 
                                   (201) 847-6800
                                 (TELEPHONE NUMBER)










1.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SCHEDULES.
 
    The following financial data for the Plan are submitted herewith:
 
    Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
 
    Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits as of June 30, 2004 and
    2003
 
    Statement of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits for the year ended
    June 30, 2004
 
    Notes to Financial Statements

    Schedule H, Line 4(i) -- Schedule of Assets (Held at End of Year)
 
2.1 EXHIBITS.
 
    See Exhibit Index for a list of Exhibits filed or incorporated by reference
    as part of this report.
 
                                       2











                           Annual Report on Form 11-K

                          Becton, Dickinson and Company
                             Savings Incentive Plan

                 Financial Statements and Supplemental Schedule

                                  June 30, 2004




                                    Contents



                                                                                    
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.................................F-1

Financial Statements

Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits as of June 30, 2004 and 2003............F-2
Statement of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits for the year ended
   June 30, 2004........................................................................F-3
Notes to Financial Statements...........................................................F-4

Supplemental Schedule

Schedule H, Line 4(i)--Schedule of Assets (Held at End of Year)........................F-11

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.........................Exhibit 23



 




             Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Compensation and Benefits Committee of Becton, Dickinson and Company:

We have audited the accompanying statements of net assets available for benefits
of the Becton, Dickinson and Company Savings Incentive Plan as of June 30, 2004
and 2003, and the related statements of changes in net assets available for
benefits for the year ended June 30, 2004. These financial statements are the
responsibility of the Plan's management. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company
Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan
and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial
statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a
test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial
statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and
significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall
financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a
reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in
all material respects, the net assets available for benefits of the plan at June
30, 2004 and 2003, and the changes in its net assets available for benefits for
the year ended June 30, 2004, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted
accounting principles.

Our audits were performed for the purpose of forming an opinion on the financial
statements taken as a whole. The accompanying supplemental schedule of assets
(held at end of year) as of June 30, 2004 is presented for purposes of
additional analysis and is not a required part of the financial statements but
is supplementary information required by the Department of Labor's Rules and
Regulations for Reporting and Disclosure under the Employee Retirement Income
Security Act of 1974. This supplemental schedule is the responsibility of the
Plan's management. The supplemental schedule has been subjected to the auditing
procedures applied in our audits of the financial statements and, in our
opinion, is fairly stated in all material respects in relation to the financial
statements taken as a whole.



December 7, 2004


                                                                             F-1








                          Becton, Dickinson and Company
                             Savings Incentive Plan

                 Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits



                                                                                  June 30
                                                                          2004               2003
                                                                    ----------------------------------
                                                                                            
Assets
Investments at fair value:
   Becton, Dickinson and Company Common Stock (4,080,596
    shares and 4,458,799 shares, respectively)                        $211,374,873       $173,224,341
   Becton, Dickinson and Company Series B ESOP Convertible
     Preferred Stock (538,161 shares and 593,236 shares,
     respectively)                                                     178,411,256        147,502,349
   State Street Bank and Trust Company S&P 500 Flagship
     Fund Series A                                                     132,446,808        104,576,539
   State Street Bank and Trust Company MidCap Index Fund
     Series A                                                           68,890,445         48,056,101
   Wells Fargo Nikko Investment Advisors Commingled Equity Fund         40,035,820         34,390,812
   State Street Short-Term Investment Fund                               2,218,171          2,163,881
   Cap Guardian International Equity Fund                               18,810,647         10,243,980
   Lord Abbett Development Growth Fund                                  23,181,618         14,049,344
Investment contracts at contract value                                 234,079,648        222,318,646
                                                                    ------------------------------------
Total investments                                                      909,449,286        756,525,993

Receivables:
   Interest                                                                826,605              4,105
   Employer contributions                                                1,672,012          1,538,916
   Employee contributions                                                1,700,278          1,336,691
   Other receivable                                                              -          1,235,745
   Loans receivable from participants                                   20,930,052         18,754,118
Cash and cash equivalents                                               10,259,005          8,885,540
                                                                    ------------------------------------
Total assets                                                           944,837,238        788,281,108

Liabilities
Accrued interest payable                                                   175,560            510,816
Debt obligations                                                         3,715,558         10,810,918
Investment management fees payable                                          64,040            138,820
                                                                    ------------------------------------
Total liabilities                                                        3,955,158         11,460,554
                                                                    ------------------------------------
Net assets available for benefits                                     $940,882,080       $776,820,554
                                                                    ====================================


See accompanying notes.

                                                                             F-2








                          Becton, Dickinson and Company
                             Savings Incentive Plan

            Statement of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits

                            Year ended June 30, 2004


                                                                          
Additions:
   Participants' contributions                                      $ 51,498,401
   Rollover contributions                                              5,875,746
   Company contributions                                               5,179,352
   Interest income                                                    10,267,307
   Dividends                                                           4,496,899
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      77,317,705
Deductions:
   Distributions to participants                                      58,956,970
   Administrative expenses and other                                   1,288,650
                                                                    ------------
                                                                      60,245,620

Net appreciation in fair value of investments                        146,989,441
                                                                    ------------
Net increase                                                         164,061,256

Net assets available for benefits at beginning of year               776,820,554
                                                                    ------------
Net assets available for benefits at end of year                    $940,882,080
                                                                    ============


See accompanying notes.

                                                                             F-3








                          Becton, Dickinson and Company
                             Savings Incentive Plan

                          Notes to Financial Statements

                                  June 30, 2004


1.  Significant Accounting Policies

Accounting records of the Becton, Dickinson and Company Savings Incentive Plan
(the "Plan") are maintained on the accrual basis whereby all income, costs and
expenses are recorded when earned or incurred. Investments are recorded on the
basis of cost but are reported in the Plan's financial statements at fair value,
redemption value or contract value. Fair value of marketable equity securities
is determined by quoted market prices in an active market. The value of the
Becton, Dickinson and Company Series B ESOP Convertible Preferred Stock was
determined based upon the guaranteed redemption value of $59 per share or 640%
of the fair value of the Becton, Dickinson and Company Common Stock, whichever
is higher. Investment contracts (Fixed Income Fund) are contracts with insurance
companies, which are fully benefit responsive and valued at contract value.
Contract value represents contributions made, plus interest at the contract rate
and transfers, less distributions. Interests in commingled trust funds and
mutual funds are valued at the redemption price established by the trustee or
investment manager of the respective fund. Participant loans are valued at
unpaid principal balances with maturities ranging from three months to four and
one-half years for ordinary loans and twenty years for primary residence loans.
Cash equivalents are stated at cost, which approximates fair value. The Plan
considers all highly-liquid investments with a maturity of 90 days or less when
purchased to be cash equivalents. Investment management fees, brokerage fees,
commissions, stock transfer taxes, and other expenses related to each investment
fund are paid out of the respective fund. Other expenses, such as trustee fees,
ESOP fees, and other administrative expenses are shared by Becton, Dickinson and
Company and the Plan.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and
accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

2.  Description of the Plan

The Plan is a defined contribution plan established for the purpose of
encouraging and assisting employees in following a systematic savings program
and to provide an opportunity for employees, at no cost to themselves, to become
shareholders of Becton, Dickinson and Company. Employees of Becton, Dickinson
and Company and certain of its domestic subsidiaries (the "Company") are
eligible for participation in the Plan on the first enrollment date coincident
with or next following their date of hire.


                                                                             F-4








                          Becton, Dickinson and Company
                             Savings Incentive Plan

                    Notes to Financial Statements (continued)


2.  Description of the Plan (continued)

Eligible employees who are members of the Plan can authorize a payroll deduction
for a contribution to the Plan in an amount per payroll period equal to any
selected whole percentage of pay from 2% to 20% inclusive. For purposes of the
Plan, total pay includes base pay, overtime compensation and commissions.
Pre-tax contributions are subject to annual Internal Revenue Code limitations of
$13,000 plus a catch-up contribution of $3,000 for participants age 50 and older
for 2004 and $12,000 plus a catch-up contribution of $2,000 for participants age
50 and older for 2003.

Individual employee contributions of up to 6% of total pay are eligible for a
matching Company contribution. The Board of Directors of the Company may, within
prescribed limits, establish, from time to time, the rate of Company
contributions. It has authorized the Company to make a monthly contribution to
the Plan in an amount equal to 50% of eligible employee contributions during
said month minus any forfeitures.

Employee contributions can be in either before-tax ("401(k)") dollars or
after-tax dollars or a combination of both. Employee contributions in before-tax
dollars result in savings going into the Plan before most federal, state or
local taxes are withheld. Taxes are deferred until the employee withdraws the
401(k) contributions from the Plan.

Participating employees are not liable for federal income taxes on amounts
earned in the Plan or on amounts contributed by the Company until such time that
their participating interest is distributed to them. In general, a participating
employee is subject to tax on the amount by which the distribution paid to him
exceeds the amount of after-tax dollars he has contributed to the Plan.

Employee contributions are invested, at the option of the employee, in any of
the available funds in any combination of 1%.

The investment contracts are contracts with various insurance companies, which
provide known rates of return on deposited funds, provided that the contracts
remain in force until their maturity. The weighted average yield for the
investment contracts was 4.37% and 4.70% at June 30, 2004 and 2003,
respectively. The crediting interest rates ranged from 3.54% to 8.08% at June
30, 2004. Crediting interest rates are determined based on the balance and
duration of the contract, with certain contracts


                                                                             F-5








                          Becton, Dickinson and Company
                             Savings Incentive Plan

                    Notes to Financial Statements (continued)


2.  Description of the Plan (continued)

subject to quarterly rate resets based on market indices. There are no minimum
crediting interest rates or limitations on guarantees under the terms of the
contracts. No valuation reserves have been established to adjust contract
amounts. The contract value of the investment contracts, which approximate fair
value, is approximately $234,079,648 and $222,318,646 at June 30, 2004 and 2003,
respectively.

State Street Bank & Trust Company ("State Street Bank") is the Plan's Trustee.
State Street Bank is also the investment manager of the S&P 500 Flagship Fund,
the MidCap Index Fund and the Becton, Dickinson and Company Common Stock Fund.
Wells Fargo Nikko Investment Advisors is the investment manager of the
Commingled Equity Fund, Lord Abbett is the investment manager of the Development
Growth Fund, and Capital Guardian Trust Company is the investment manager of the
International Equity Fund.

The assets of the Company Common Stock Fund are invested in shares of the
Company's common stock. The Trustee has advised that its present intention is to
purchase the Company's common stock exclusively on the open market.
Contributions to the Company Common Stock Fund are comprised of both employee
contributions, as well as employer matching contributions.

Any portion of the Funds, pending permanent investment or distribution, may be
held on a short-term basis in cash or cash equivalents. The State Street
Short-Term Investment Fund is a holding account and represents funds received
awaiting allocation to an investment fund.

The Company implemented an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) whereby the
Becton, Dickinson and Company Preferred Stock Fund was created to account for
employer matching contributions being invested in convertible preferred stock on
behalf of employees. Over the past several years, preferred shares have
accumulated in the trust in excess of the Company's matching obligation.

The Plan also has loan provisions whereby employees are allowed to take loans on
their vested account balances. Loans originating during a year bear a fixed rate
of interest which is set annually. Employees are required to make installment
payments at each payroll date. The outstanding balance of a loan becomes due and
payable upon an employee's termination. Should an employee, upon his
termination, elect not to repay the outstanding balance, the loan is canceled
and deemed a distribution under the Plan.


                                                                             F-6








                          Becton, Dickinson and Company
                             Savings Incentive Plan

                    Notes to Financial Statements (continued)


2.  Description of the Plan (continued)

The Plan provides for vesting in employer matching contributions based on years
of service as follows:



                   Full Years of Service                  Percentage
            --------------------------------------------------------
                                                         
            Less than 2 years                                  0%
            2 years but less than 3 years                     50%
            3 years but less than 4 years                     75%
            4 years or more                                  100%


Participants may become fully vested on the date of termination of employment by
reasons of death, retirement or disability, or attainment of age 65.
Participants may be partially vested under certain conditions in the event of
termination of employment or participation in the Plan for any other reason.
Non-vested Company contributions forfeited by participants are applied to reduce
future Company contributions. Participants' contributions are always 100%
vested.

The Board of Directors of the Company reserves the right to terminate, modify,
alter or amend the Plan at any time and at its own discretion, provided that no
such termination, modification, alteration or amendment shall permit any of the
funds established pursuant to the Plan to be used for any purpose other than the
exclusive benefit of the participating employees. The right to modify, alter or
amend includes the right to change the percentage of the Company's
contributions.

Amounts allocated to withdrawn participants which have not yet been distributed
from the Plan as of June 30, 2004 and 2003 amounted to $3,674,736 and
$7,923,428, respectively. For the purpose of preparing the Plan's Form 5500 such
amounts are recorded as liabilities.


                                                                             F-7








                          Becton, Dickinson and Company
                             Savings Incentive Plan

                    Notes to Financial Statements (continued)


3.  Investments

During 2004, the Plan's investments (including investments purchased, sold, as
well as held during the year) appreciated in fair value as determined by quoted
market prices as follows:


                                                                       
Participant-directed:
   Becton, Dickinson and Company Common Stock                   $  55,382,127
   State Street Bank and Trust Company S&P 500
     Flagship Fund Series A                                        20,360,081
   State Street Bank and Trust Company MidCap Index Fund
     Series A                                                      13,891,432
   Wells Fargo Nikko Investment Advisors Commingled
     Equity Fund                                                    4,281,944
   Cap Guardian International Equity Fund                           3,312,120
   Lord Abbett Development Growth Fund                              3,412,488

Non-participant directed:
   Becton, Dickinson and Company Series B ESOP
     Convertible Preferred Stock                                   46,349,249
                                                                ---------------
                                                                ---------------
                                                                 $146,989,441
                                                                ===============


Information about the significant components of the changes in net assets
related to the non-participant directed investment, Becton, Dickinson and
Company Series B ESOP Convertible Preferred Stock, is as follows:


                                                                       
Contributions                                                     $ 4,837,431
Interest and dividends                                              2,159,001
Net realized and unrealized appreciation in fair value             46,349,249
Distribution to participants                                       (8,231,765)
Transfers between funds                                            (6,782,774)
Expenses                                                             (782,067)
                                                                 --------------
Total                                                             $37,549,075
                                                                 ==============



                                                                             F-8








                          Becton, Dickinson and Company
                             Savings Incentive Plan

                    Notes to Financial Statements (continued)


4.  Income Tax Status

The Plan has received a determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service
dated February 4, 2004, stating that the Plan is qualified under Section 401(a)
of the Internal Revenue Code (the "Code") and, therefore, the related trust is
exempt from taxation. Once qualified, the Plan is required to operate in
conformity with the Code to maintain its qualification.

5.  Related Party Transactions

During the year ended June 30, 2004, the Plan purchased and distributed 524,031
shares and 902,234 shares, respectively, of the Company's common stock and
recorded $2,344,276 in dividends on the common stock from the Company. In
addition, the Plan purchased and distributed 139,479 shares and 194,554 shares,
respectively, of the Series B ESOP convertible preferred stock of the Company
and recorded $2,152,623 in dividends on the preferred stock from the Company.

6.  Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)

The Company maintains an Employee Stock Ownership Plan ("ESOP") as part of the
Savings Incentive Plan. The ESOP operates to satisfy all or part of the
Company's obligation to match 50% of employees' contributions, up to a maximum
of 3% of each participant's covered compensation. To accomplish this, the ESOP
borrowed $60,000,000 in a private debt offering and used the proceeds to buy the
Company's Series B ESOP convertible preferred stock.

Each share of preferred stock has a guaranteed liquidation value of $59 per
share and is convertible into 6.4 shares of the Company's common stock. The
preferred stock pays an annual dividend of $3.835 per share which will be used
by the ESOP, together with Company contributions to repay the ESOP borrowings.
The allocated and unallocated shares at cost and market at June 30 were as
follows:


                                                                            F-9








                          Becton, Dickinson and Company
                             Savings Incentive Plan

                    Notes to Financial Statements (continued)


6.  Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) (continued)
 


                                               June 30, 2004                      June 30, 2003
                                   ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          Allocated       Unallocated       Allocated       Unallocated
                                   ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                  
Becton, Dickinson and Company
 Series B ESOP Convertible
 Preferred Stock:
   Number of shares                           436,682         101,479          421,958          171,278
   Cost                                  $ 25,764,619     $ 5,987,269     $ 24,895,964      $10,105,409
   Market                                $144,768,893     $33,642,363     $104,915,744      $42,586,605


Over a 15 year period, the trust will repay the loan; and as the loan is
gradually repaid, a portion of the preferred stock will be released and used to
match participants' contributions in the Plan. The initial allocation of
preferred stock to plan participants began in March 1990. Each year, a
pre-determined number of preferred shares will be released and available to be
allocated to participants' accounts. If the total value of the preferred shares
released (as the ESOP loan is repaid) is not sufficient to fully match the
participants' contributions, the remaining portion of the match will be made to
the Company Common Stock Fund.

7.  Debt Obligations

In connection with the Employee Stock Ownership Plan feature, the Plan issued
$60,000,000 of ESOP notes in a private placement. The notes bear interest at
9.45% and are guaranteed by the Company. The notes, which are due July 1, 2004,
require semi-annual interest payments and annual principal payments. Such final
payment was made on a timely basis.


                                                                            F-10








                                                                 EIN: 22-0760120
                                                                 Plan #: 011

                          Becton, Dickinson and Company
                             Savings Incentive Plan

                    Schedule H, Line 4(i)--Schedule of Assets
                              (Held at End of Year)

                                  June 30, 2004



                                                                       Number            Contract
                Identity of Issue, Borrower, Lessor or Similar        of Units          or Current
                     Party and Description of Investment              or Shares            Value
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                          
State Street Bank & Trust Company
*Becton, Dickinson and Company Common Stock                           4,080,596        $211,374,873

State Street Bank & Trust Company
*Becton, Dickinson and Company Series B ESOP Convertible
 Preferred Stock                                                        538,161         178,411,256

State Street Bank & Trust Company
S&P 500 Flagship Fund Series A                                        3,314,163         132,446,808

State Street Bank & Trust Company
S&P MidCap Index Fund Series A                                       16,365,246          68,890,445

Wells Fargo Nikko Investment Advisors
Commingled Equity Fund                                               14,379,867          40,035,820

State Street Bank & Trust Company
State Street Short-Term Investment Fund                               4,879,252           2,218,171

State Street Bank & Trust Company
Cap Guardian International Equity Fund                               18,725,428          18,810,647

State Street Bank & Trust Company
Lord Abbett Development Growth Fund                                  23,209,234          23,181,618

CDC Financial Production, Inc.
GIC #239-03, due at 3.54%                                                                36,433,577


* As Becton, Dickinson and Company is the plan sponsor, these represent
  party-in-interest transactions.



                                                                            F-11








                                                                 EIN: 22-0760120
                                                                 Plan #: 011


                          Becton, Dickinson and Company
                             Savings Incentive Plan

                    Schedule H, Line 4(i)--Schedule of Assets
                        (Held at End of Year) (continued)

                                  June 30, 2004



                                                                       Number            Contract
                Identity of Issue, Borrower, Lessor or Similar        of Units          or Current
                     Party and Description of Investment              or Shares            Value
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                          
JP Morgan Chase Bank
GIC #ABECTON1, at 5.57%                                                                 $ 41,655,773

John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company
GIC #14973, at 6.55%                                                                       6,039,981

Rabobank Nederland (IGT BIKRK Int GIC)
BDX080301, due 8/12/03 at 4.54%                                                           41,743,103

Monumental Life Insurance Company
#MDA00091TR, termination date as specified by contract, at 8.08%                          13,766,493

Monumental Life Insurance Company
#MDA 00591TR                                                                              35,651,484

State Street Bank (IGT Invesco Short-Term Bond)
GIC #103054, at 3.93%                                                                     29,430,956

UBS AG
GIC #512, at 2.68%                                                                        29,358,281
                                                                                       ---------------
Total investments                                                                        909,449,286

Loans receivable from participants (original loan amounts ranging from $1,000 to
   $50,000 bearing interest at rates ranging from 5% to 11.5%)
                                                                                          20,930,052
                                                                                       ---------------
                                                                                        $930,379,338
                                                                                       ===============



                                                                            F-12










                                   SIGNATURES

   PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, THE
MEMBERS OF THE SAVINGS INCENTIVE PLAN COMMITTEE HAVE DULY CAUSED THIS ANNUAL
REPORT TO BE SIGNED BY THE UNDERSIGNED HEREUNTO DULY AUTHORIZED.

                                        Becton, Dickinson and Company
                                          Savings Incentive Plan

                                           /s/ Gerald Caporicci
                                        --------------------------
                                              GERALD CAPORICCI
                                       MEMBER, SAVINGS INCENTIVE PLAN
                                                 COMMITTEE
Date: December 16, 2004










                                 EXHIBIT INDEX


EXHIBIT 
NUMBER                  DESCRIPTION                             METHOD OF FILING
------                  -----------                             ----------------
                                                          
 23                     Consent of Independent Registered       Filed with this report
                        Public Accounting Firm