<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>8-K
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>e18550_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: July 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 July 27, 2004 Registrant issued an earnings release (the "Earnings
Release") containing a discussion of Registrant's results of operations and
financial condition for the second quarter ending June 30, 2004.

<PAGE>

      Item 7. Exhibits

      (99) Earnings Release of the Registrant, dated July 27, 2004, containing a
discussion of Registrant's results of operations and financial condition for the
second quarter ending June 30, 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:  July 27, 2004

<PAGE>

                                INDEX TO EXHIBITS

Exhibit Number

      (99) Earnings Release of the Registrant, dated July 27, 2004, containing a
discussion of Registrant's results of operations and financial condition for the
second quarter ending June 30, 2004.












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