UNITED STATES
                       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  - November 3, 2004
               Date of Earliest Event Reported - November 1, 2004


                       THE MAY DEPARTMENT STORES COMPANY
              (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

   Delaware                          I-79                      43-1104396
(State or other                 (Commission                  (IRS Employer
jurisdiction of                 File Number)              Identification No.)
incorporation)

611 Olive Street, St. Louis, Missouri                            63101
(Address of principal executive offices)                        (Zip code)

        Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (314)342-6300


                                Not Applicable
          (former name or former address, if changed since last report)


Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to
simultaneously satisfy the filing obligations of the registrant under any of
the following provisions (See General Instruction A.2. below):

[  ]  Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act
      (17 CFR 230.425)
[  ]  Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
      240.14a-12)
[  ]  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the
      Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
[  ]  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the
      Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))





Item 7.01   Regulation FD Disclosure.

On November 1, 2004, the registrant presented the materials attached to this
report as Exhibit 99.1 in meetings with certain analysts.


Item 9.01   Financial Statements and Exhibits.

     (c)  Exhibits.

     Exhibit No.   Exhibit

          99.1     Materials that the registrant presented in meetings with
                   certain analysts.  These materials are being furnished
                   pursuant to Item 7.01 hereof.



                             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 hereunto duly authorized.



                        THE MAY DEPARTMENT STORES COMPANY



Dated: November 3, 2004        By:  /s/ Richard A. Brickson
                                   Richard A. Brickson
                                   Secretary
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{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "MAY DEPARTMENT STORES CO", "cik": "0000063416", "assigned-sic": "5311", "irs-number": "431104396", "state-of-incorporation": "DE", "fiscal-year-end": "0201"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "8-K", "act": "34", "file-number": "001-00079", "film-number": "041116157"}, "business-address": {"street1": "611 OLIVE ST", "city": "ST LOUIS", "state": "MO", "zip": "63101", "phone": "3143426300"}}
UNITED STATES
                       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  - November 3, 2004
               Date of Earliest Event Reported - November 1, 2004

                       THE MAY DEPARTMENT STORES COMPANY
              (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

   Delaware                          I-79                      43-1104396
(State or other                 (Commission                  (IRS Employer
jurisdiction of                 File Number)              Identification No.)
incorporation)

611 Olive Street, St. Louis, Missouri                            63101
(Address of principal executive offices)                        (Zip code)

        Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (314)342-6300

                                Not Applicable
          (former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to
simultaneously satisfy the filing obligations of the registrant under any of
the following provisions (See General Instruction A.2. below):

[  ]  Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act
      (17 CFR 230.425)
[  ]  Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
      240.14a-12)
[  ]  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the
      Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
[  ]  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the
      Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 7.01   Regulation FD Disclosure.

On November 1, 2004, the registrant presented the materials attached to this
report as Exhibit 99.1 in meetings with certain analysts.

Item 9.01   Financial Statements and Exhibits.

     (c)  Exhibits.

     Exhibit No.   Exhibit

          99.1     Materials that the registrant presented in meetings with
                   certain analysts.  These materials are being furnished
                   pursuant to Item 7.01 hereof.

                             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 hereunto duly authorized.

                        THE MAY DEPARTMENT STORES COMPANY

Dated: November 3, 2004        By:  /s/ Richard A. Brickson
                                   Richard A. Brickson
                                   Secretary