THE BEAR STEARNS COMPANIES INC.
                                 IncomeNotes(SM)
            With Maturities of Nine Months or More from Date of Issue

Registration No. 333-109793
Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3)
Pricing Supplement No. 37
(To Prospectus dated November 17, 2003,
and Prospectus Supplement dated November 17, 2003)
Trade Date: August 30, 2004
Issue Date: September 2, 2004
The date of this Pricing Supplement is August 30, 2004



Fixed Rate Notes
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                    Interest
                                                  Maturity     Price to     Discounts &                              Payment
   CUSIP#               Interest Rate               Date         Public     Commissions    Reallowance    Dealer    Frequency
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                  
  07387EFY8                 5.80%                9/15/2029      100.00%        [TBD]%         0.350%      98.00%       Semi
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------





                                                 Subject to Redemption
                                                 ---------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   First Interest                                                                         Aggregate
 First Interest       Payment       Survivor's                                                            Principal
  Payment Date        Amount          Option     Yes/No          Date and Terms of Redemption               Amount      Net Proceeds
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                         
   3/15/2005          $31.09           Yes        Yes     Commencing on 9/15/2009 and on the 15th of each   $[TBD]         $[TBD]
                                                          month thereafter until Maturity, the Notes may
                                                          be called in whole at par at the option of the
                                                          Company on ten calendar days notice.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                       ***

The distribution of IncomeNotes will conform to the requirements set forth in
Rule 2720 of the NASD Conduct Rules.