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)         January 28, 2004
                                                  ------------------------------


                          Varian Medical Systems, Inc.
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             (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)




          Delaware                      1-7598                  94-2359345
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(State or Other Jurisdiction       (Commission File           (IRS Employer
      of Incorporation)                Number)              Identification No.)


3100 Hansen Way, Palo Alto, CA                                    94304-1030
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(Address of Principal Executive Offices)                          (Zip Code)


Registrant's telephone number, including area code       (650) 493-4000
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                                 Not Applicable
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          (Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)



Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
        ---------------------------------

     (c)  Exhibits.
          --------

     99.1 Press Release dated January 28, 2004 regarding Varian Medical Systems,
Inc.'s  announcement  that:  Varian Medical  Systems  Continues  Rapid Growth In
Earnings, Sales, Net Orders, And Backlog In First Quarter Of Fiscal 2004.

Item 12. Results of Operations and Financial Condition.
         ---------------------------------------------

     (a) On January  28,  2004,  Varian  Medical  Systems,  Inc.  issued a press
release  announcing  that:  Varian  Medical  Systems  Continues  Rapid Growth In
Earnings, Sales, Net Orders, And Backlog In First Quarter Of Fiscal 2004.

     A copy of the press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1.

                                       2



                                   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 hereunto duly authorized.

                                  Varian Medical Systems, Inc.


                                  By: /s/ JOSEPH B. PHAIR
                                     --------------------
                                  Name:  Joseph B. Phair
                                  Title: Vice President, Administration, General
                                         Counsel and Secretary



Dated:  January 28, 2004

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                                  EXHIBIT INDEX



Number                               Exhibit
------                               -------

 99.1            Press Release dated January 28, 2004 regarding Varian Medical
                 Systems, Inc.'s announcement that: Varian Medical Systems
                 Continues Rapid Growth In Earnings, Sales, Net Orders, And
                 Backlog In First Quarter Of Fiscal 2004.