<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>8-K
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>e17630_8k.txt
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 8-K
<TEXT>
                       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: April 27, 2004

                         THE MCGRAW-HILL COMPANIES, INC.
                         -------------------------------
             (Exact Name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

New York                           1-1023                    13-1026995
--------                           ------                    ----------
(State or other                    (Commission               (IRS Employer
jurisdiction of                    File No.)                 Identification No.)
incorporation or
organization)

              1221 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10020
              -----------------------------------------------------
               (Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

                                 (212) 512-2564
                                 --------------
              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
<PAGE>

Item 9. Regulation FD Disclosure/Disclosure of Results of Operations and
        Financial Condition (Furnished Pursuant to Item 12 of Form 8-K)

      On April 27, 2004 Registrant issued an earnings release (the "Earnings
Release") containing a discussion of Registrant's results of operations and
financial condition for the first quarter ending March 31, 2004.
<PAGE>

      Item 7. Exhibits

      (99) Earnings Release of the Registrant, dated April 27, 2004, containing
a discussion of Registrant's results of operations and financial condition for
the first quarter ending March 31, 2004.
<PAGE>

                                   SIGNATURES

      Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant has duly caused this Form 8-K Report to be signed on its behalf by
the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

                                          THE McGRAW-HILL COMPANIES, INC.


                                             /s/  Kenneth M. Vittor
                                             ---------------------------------
                                             By:  Kenneth M. Vittor
                                                  Executive Vice President and
                                                  General Counsel

Dated: April 27, 2004
<PAGE>

                                INDEX TO EXHIBITS

Exhibit Number

      (99) Earnings Release of the Registrant, dated April 27, 2004, containing
a discussion of Registrant's results of operations and financial condition for
the first quarter ending March 31, 2004.

</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>