THE BEAR STEARNS COMPANIES INC.
                                            IncomeNotes(SM)
                       With Maturities of Nine Months or More from Date of Issue

Registration No. 333-109793
Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3)
Pricing Supplement No. 34
(To Prospectus dated November 17, 2003,
and Prospectus Supplement dated November 17, 2003)
Trade Date: August 6, 2004
Issue Date: August 12, 2004
The date of this Pricing Supplement is August 6, 2004



Fixed Rate Notes
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                                                                                                              Interest
                                                  Maturity   Price to   Discounts &                            Payment
   CUSIP#               Interest Rate               Date       Public   Commissions  Reallowance    Dealer    Frequency
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                         
  07387EFV4                 6.00%                8/15/2029    100.00%      2.50%        0.350%      98.00%      Semi
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                                         Subject to Redemption
                                         ---------------------
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                    First
                  Interest                                                                      Aggregate
First Interest     Payment   Survivor's                                                         Principal
 Payment Date      Amount      Option    Yes/No         Date and Terms of Redemption             Amount      Net Proceeds
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                           
   2/15/2005       $30.50        Yes       Yes   Commencing on 8/15/2009 and on the 15th of    $10,663,000   $10,396,425
                                                 each month thereafter until Maturity, the
                                                 Notes may be called in whole at par at the
                                                 option of the Company on ten calendar days
                                                 notice.
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The distribution of IncomeNotes will conform to the requirements set forth in
Rule 2720 of the NASD Conduct Rules.