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 (Date of earliest event reported)- August 12, 2003



                                 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
















Item 7.   Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(c)     Exhibits.  The following document is furnished as an Exhibit.



Exhibit No.  Exhibit

99.1         Press Release, dated August 12, 2003






Item 12.   Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

On August 12, 2003, the registrant issued a press release announcing its
financial results for the 13 and 26 weeks ending August 2, 2003.  A copy of the
press release is furnished herewith as Exhibit 99.1.




























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: August 12, 2003        By:    /s/ Richard A. Brickson
                              Richard A. Brickson
                              Secretary and Senior Counsel
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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": "03837847"}, "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 (Date of earliest event reported)- August 12, 2003

                                 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

Item 7.   Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(c)     Exhibits.  The following document is furnished as an Exhibit.

Exhibit No.  Exhibit

99.1         Press Release, dated August 12, 2003

Item 12.   Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

On August 12, 2003, the registrant issued a press release announcing its
financial results for the 13 and 26 weeks ending August 2, 2003.  A copy of the
press release is furnished herewith as Exhibit 99.1.

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: August 12, 2003        By:    /s/ Richard A. Brickson
                              Richard A. Brickson
                              Secretary and Senior Counsel