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<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=4>SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION </FONT></H1>

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<P ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Washington, D.C. 20549 </FONT></P>
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<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=4>FORM 8-K </FONT></H1>

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<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=4>CURRENT REPORT </FONT></H1>
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<P ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Pursuant to Section 13
or 15(d) of the <BR>Securities Exchange Act of 1934</FONT></P>
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<P ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Date of Report (date of
earliest event reported):&nbsp;&nbsp;March 1, 2004&nbsp;&nbsp;(February 27, 2004)  </FONT></P>

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<P ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2><U>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Furniture Brands International, Inc.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</U><BR>(Exact name of Registrant as specified in charter) </FONT></P>
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     <TD WIDTH=40% ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
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     <TD ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Delaware</FONT><HR WIDTH="75%" SIZE="1" ALIGN="CENTER" COLOR="BLACK" NOSHADE="NOSHADE"></TD>
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     <TD ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>43-0337683</FONT><HR WIDTH="75%" SIZE="1" ALIGN="CENTER" COLOR="BLACK" NOSHADE="NOSHADE"></TD></TR>
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     <TD ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>(State of Incorporation)</FONT></TD>
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     <TD ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>File Number)</FONT></TD>
     <TD ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Identification Number)</FONT></TD></TR>
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<P ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2><U>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;101 South Hanley Road,
St. Louis, Missouri 63105&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</U> <BR>(Address of principal executive offices) </FONT></P>

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<P ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2><U>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(314) 863-1100&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</U><BR>
                                       (Registrant's telephone number) </FONT></P>





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<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Item 5.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;           Other Events </FONT></P>

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<TD WIDTH=5%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp; </FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=95%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>
On
February 27, 2004, the Company announced that it expects first quarter 2004 sales and
earnings to be          better than previously expected.  First quarter earnings per
share on a diluted basis is expected to be          in the $0.55 to $0.57 range,
exceeding its previous guidance of $0.50 to $0.53. </FONT></TD>
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<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Item 7.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;           Financial
Statements and Exhibits </FONT></P>

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<TD WIDTH=5%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp; </FONT></TD>
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(c)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Exhibit </FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH=5%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp; </FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=95%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;99
      Press Release, dated February 27, 2004  </FONT>
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<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2><U>SIGNATURE</U> </FONT></H1>




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<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;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. </FONT></P>


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     <TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Furniture Brands International, Inc.</FONT></TD></TR>
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     <TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2></FONT></TD>
     <TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>By:</FONT></TD>
     <TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>/s/ Steven W. Alstadt</FONT><HR NOSHADE COLOR=Black SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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     <TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2></FONT></TD>
     <TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Steven W. Alstadt</FONT></TD></TR>
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     <TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Controller and Chief Accounting Officer</FONT></TD></TR>
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<P ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Dated: March 1, 2004 </FONT></P>



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{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "FURNITURE BRANDS INTERNATIONAL INC", "cik": "0000050957", "assigned-sic": "2510", "irs-number": "430337683", "state-of-incorporation": "DE", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "8-K", "act": "34", "file-number": "001-00091", "film-number": "04638650"}, "business-address": {"street1": "101 S HANLEY RD STE 1900", "city": "ST LOUIS", "state": "MO", "zip": "63105", "phone": "3148631100"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "101 SOUTH HANLEY RD", "city": "ST LOUIS", "state": "MO", "zip": "63105"}, "former-company": {"former-conformed-name": "INTERNATIONAL SHOE CO", "date-changed": "19690313"}}
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):  March 1, 2004  (February 27, 2004)
Furniture Brands International, Inc.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in charter)
Delaware
I-91
43-0337683
(State of Incorporation)
(Commission
(IRS Employer
File Number)
Identification Number)
101 South Hanley Road,
St. Louis, Missouri 63105
(Address of principal executive offices)
(314) 863-1100
(Registrant's telephone number)
Item 5.                Other Events
On
February 27, 2004, the Company announced that it expects first quarter 2004 sales and
earnings to be          better than previously expected.  First quarter earnings per
share on a diluted basis is expected to be          in the $0.55 to $0.57 range,
exceeding its previous guidance of $0.50 to $0.53.
Item 7.                Financial
Statements and Exhibits
(c)    Exhibit
99
      Press Release, dated February 27, 2004
SIGNATURE
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.
Furniture Brands International, Inc.
By:
/s/ Steven W. Alstadt
Steven W. Alstadt
Controller and Chief Accounting Officer
Dated: March 1, 2004