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) June 2, 2003
                                                           ------------

                         THE BEAR STEARNS COMPANIES INC.
                         -------------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)



        DELAWARE                 File No. 1-8989                 13-3286161
        --------                 ---------------                 ----------

    (State or other          (Commission File Number)          (IRS Employer
    jurisdiction of                                            Identification
     incorporation)                                                Number)



  383 Madison Avenue, New York, New York                           10179
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 (Address of principal executive offices)                        (zip code)



       Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (212) 272-2000
                                                           --------------



                                 Not Applicable
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          (former name or former address, if changed since last report)




Item 5.  Other Events
         ------------

               Filed herewith are copies of:

         (a)   Form of Medium-Term Note, Series B (linked to the rate of US
               inflation).

         (b)   Opinion of Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP as to certain
               federal income tax consequences described in the Pricing
               Supplement, dated June 2, 2003, to the Prospectus Supplement and
               the Prospectus, each dated April 24, 2003, included in the
               Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed by the Company
               (Registration No. 333-104455).

         (c)   Consent of Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP.

Item 7.  Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits
         ------------------------------------------------------------------

         (a)   Financial Statements of Businesses Acquired:

               Not applicable.

         (b)   Pro Forma Financial Information:

               Not applicable.

         (c)   Exhibits:

               The following exhibits are incorporated by reference into the
               Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-104455)
               as exhibits to such Registration Statement:

               4(b)(8)  Form of Medium-Term Note, Series B (linked to the to the
                        rate of US inflation).

               8(a)     Opinion of Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP as to
                        certain federal income tax consequences.

               23(c)    Consent of Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP (Included
                        in Exhibit 8(a)).

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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 thereunto duly authorized.

                                       THE BEAR STEARNS COMPANIES INC.



                                       By: /s/ Marshall J Levinson
                                           ------------------------------
                                           Marshall J Levinson
                                           Controller
                                           (Principal Accounting Officer)

Dated:  June 12, 2003

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                         THE BEAR STEARNS COMPANIES INC.

                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT

                                  EXHIBIT INDEX
                                  -------------

Exhibit No.       Description
-----------       -----------

4(b)(8)           Form of Medium-Term Note, Series B (linked to the rate of US
                  inflation).

8(a)              Opinion of Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP as to certain
                  federal income tax consequences.

23(c)             Consent of Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP (Included in
                  Exhibit 8(a)).

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