-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 SYDqyt1kcUK2bc/5nEFJZ2AXQmGG/7xgq2LwdaLNN5P5FuSoMfZLBCih10cqoWko
 UKYvYQI1FS2lDcV0mxNVPA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001005477-03-004502.txt : 20031120
<SEC-HEADER>0001005477-03-004502.hdr.sgml : 20031120
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20031120180434
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001005477-03-004502
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20031118
FILED AS OF DATE:		20031120

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MSC INDUSTRIAL DIRECT CO INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001003078
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	WHOLESALE-INDUSTRIAL MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT [5084]
		IRS NUMBER:				113289165
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			NY
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0902

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		75 MAXESS RD
		CITY:			MELVILLE
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			11747
		BUSINESS PHONE:		516-812-2000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		151 SUNNYSIDE BLVD
		CITY:			PLAINVIEW
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			11803

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ANKER ROSS
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001244711

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-14130
		FILM NUMBER:		031016331

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O MSC INDUSTRIAL DIRECT CO INC
		STREET 2:		75 MAXESS ROAD
		CITY:			MELVILLE
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			11747
		BUSINESS PHONE:		5168122000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O MSC INDUSTRIAL DIRECT CO INC
		STREET 2:		75 MAXESS RD
		CITY:			MLEVILLE
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			11747
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar123.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>
    <periodOfReport>2003-11-18</periodOfReport>
    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>
    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001003078</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>MSC INDUSTRIAL DIRECT CO INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>MSM</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>

        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001244711</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>ANKER ROSS</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1></rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity></rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode></rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
        <isDirector>0</isDirector>
        <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
        <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
        <isOther>0</isOther>
        <officerTitle>Sr. VP of Production Mgnt/Info</officerTitle>
    </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>

        <securityTitle>
            <value>Class A Common Stock, $.001 par value</value>
        </securityTitle>

        <transactionDate>
            <value>2003-11-18</value>
        </transactionDate>
    <transactionCoding>
        <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
        <transactionCode>M</transactionCode>
        <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
    </transactionCoding>
        <transactionAmounts>

            <transactionShares>
                <value>20000</value>
            </transactionShares>

            <transactionPricePerShare>
                <value>7.75</value>
            </transactionPricePerShare>

            <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                <value>A</value>
            </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
        </transactionAmounts>
        <postTransactionAmounts>

            <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                <value>21777</value>
            </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
        </postTransactionAmounts>
        <ownershipNature>

            <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <value>D</value>
            </directOrIndirectOwnership>
        </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>

        <nonDerivativeTransaction>

        <securityTitle>
            <value>Class A Common Stock, $.001 par value</value>
        </securityTitle>

        <transactionDate>
            <value>2003-11-18</value>
        </transactionDate>
    <transactionCoding>
        <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
        <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
        <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
    </transactionCoding>
        <transactionAmounts>

            <transactionShares>
                <value>1100</value>
            </transactionShares>

            <transactionPricePerShare>
                <value>26.65</value>
            </transactionPricePerShare>

            <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                <value>D</value>
            </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
        </transactionAmounts>
        <postTransactionAmounts>

            <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                <value>20677</value>
            </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
        </postTransactionAmounts>
        <ownershipNature>

            <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <value>D</value>
            </directOrIndirectOwnership>
        </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>

        <nonDerivativeTransaction>

        <securityTitle>
            <value>Class A Common Stock, $.001 par value</value>
        </securityTitle>

        <transactionDate>
            <value>2003-11-18</value>
        </transactionDate>
    <transactionCoding>
        <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
        <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
        <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
    </transactionCoding>
        <transactionAmounts>

            <transactionShares>
                <value>800</value>
            </transactionShares>

            <transactionPricePerShare>
                <value>26.63</value>
            </transactionPricePerShare>

            <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                <value>D</value>
            </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
        </transactionAmounts>
        <postTransactionAmounts>

            <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                <value>19877</value>
            </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
        </postTransactionAmounts>
        <ownershipNature>

            <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <value>D</value>
            </directOrIndirectOwnership>
        </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>

        <nonDerivativeTransaction>

        <securityTitle>
            <value>Class A Common Stock, $.001 par value</value>
        </securityTitle>

        <transactionDate>
            <value>2003-11-18</value>
        </transactionDate>
    <transactionCoding>
        <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
        <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
        <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
    </transactionCoding>
        <transactionAmounts>

            <transactionShares>
                <value>1400</value>
            </transactionShares>

            <transactionPricePerShare>
                <value>26.62</value>
            </transactionPricePerShare>

            <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                <value>D</value>
            </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
        </transactionAmounts>
        <postTransactionAmounts>

            <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                <value>18477</value>
            </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
        </postTransactionAmounts>
        <ownershipNature>

            <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <value>D</value>
            </directOrIndirectOwnership>
        </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>

        <nonDerivativeTransaction>

        <securityTitle>
            <value>Class A Common Stock, $.001 par value</value>
        </securityTitle>

        <transactionDate>
            <value>2003-11-18</value>
        </transactionDate>
    <transactionCoding>
        <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
        <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
        <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
    </transactionCoding>
        <transactionAmounts>

            <transactionShares>
                <value>500</value>
            </transactionShares>

            <transactionPricePerShare>
                <value>26.61</value>
            </transactionPricePerShare>

            <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                <value>D</value>
            </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
        </transactionAmounts>
        <postTransactionAmounts>

            <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                <value>17977</value>
            </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
        </postTransactionAmounts>
        <ownershipNature>

            <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <value>D</value>
            </directOrIndirectOwnership>
        </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>

        <nonDerivativeTransaction>

        <securityTitle>
            <value>Class A Common Stock, $.001 par value</value>
        </securityTitle>

        <transactionDate>
            <value>2003-11-18</value>
        </transactionDate>
    <transactionCoding>
        <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
        <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
        <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
    </transactionCoding>
        <transactionAmounts>

            <transactionShares>
                <value>100</value>
            </transactionShares>

            <transactionPricePerShare>
                <value>26.56</value>
            </transactionPricePerShare>

            <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                <value>D</value>
            </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
        </transactionAmounts>
        <postTransactionAmounts>

            <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                <value>17877</value>
            </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
        </postTransactionAmounts>
        <ownershipNature>

            <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <value>D</value>
            </directOrIndirectOwnership>
        </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>

        <nonDerivativeTransaction>

        <securityTitle>
            <value>Class A Common Stock, $.001 par value</value>
        </securityTitle>

        <transactionDate>
            <value>2003-11-18</value>
        </transactionDate>
    <transactionCoding>
        <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
        <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
        <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
    </transactionCoding>
        <transactionAmounts>

            <transactionShares>
                <value>200</value>
            </transactionShares>

            <transactionPricePerShare>
                <value>26.53</value>
            </transactionPricePerShare>

            <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                <value>D</value>
            </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
        </transactionAmounts>
        <postTransactionAmounts>

            <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                <value>17677</value>
            </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
        </postTransactionAmounts>
        <ownershipNature>

            <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <value>D</value>
            </directOrIndirectOwnership>
        </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>

        <nonDerivativeTransaction>

        <securityTitle>
            <value>Class A Common Stock, $.001 par value</value>
        </securityTitle>

        <transactionDate>
            <value>2003-11-18</value>
        </transactionDate>
    <transactionCoding>
        <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
        <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
        <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
    </transactionCoding>
        <transactionAmounts>

            <transactionShares>
                <value>200</value>
            </transactionShares>

            <transactionPricePerShare>
                <value>26.52</value>
            </transactionPricePerShare>

            <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                <value>D</value>
            </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
        </transactionAmounts>
        <postTransactionAmounts>

            <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                <value>17477</value>
            </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
        </postTransactionAmounts>
        <ownershipNature>

            <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <value>D</value>
            </directOrIndirectOwnership>
        </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>

        <nonDerivativeTransaction>

        <securityTitle>
            <value>Class A Common Stock, $.001 par value</value>
        </securityTitle>

        <transactionDate>
            <value>2003-11-18</value>
        </transactionDate>
    <transactionCoding>
        <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
        <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
        <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
    </transactionCoding>
        <transactionAmounts>

            <transactionShares>
                <value>1700</value>
            </transactionShares>

            <transactionPricePerShare>
                <value>26.51</value>
            </transactionPricePerShare>

            <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                <value>D</value>
            </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
        </transactionAmounts>
        <postTransactionAmounts>

            <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                <value>15777</value>
            </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
        </postTransactionAmounts>
        <ownershipNature>

            <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <value>D</value>
            </directOrIndirectOwnership>
        </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>

        <nonDerivativeTransaction>

        <securityTitle>
            <value>Class A Common Stock, $.001 par value</value>
        </securityTitle>

        <transactionDate>
            <value>2003-11-18</value>
        </transactionDate>
    <transactionCoding>
        <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
        <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
        <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
    </transactionCoding>
        <transactionAmounts>

            <transactionShares>
                <value>900</value>
            </transactionShares>

            <transactionPricePerShare>
                <value>26.50</value>
            </transactionPricePerShare>

            <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                <value>D</value>
            </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
        </transactionAmounts>
        <postTransactionAmounts>

            <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                <value>14877</value>
            </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
        </postTransactionAmounts>
        <ownershipNature>

            <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <value>D</value>
            </directOrIndirectOwnership>
        </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>

        <nonDerivativeTransaction>

        <securityTitle>
            <value>Class A Common Stock, $.001 par value</value>
        </securityTitle>

        <transactionDate>
            <value>2003-11-19</value>
        </transactionDate>
    <transactionCoding>
        <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
        <transactionCode>M</transactionCode>
        <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
    </transactionCoding>
        <transactionAmounts>

            <transactionShares>
                <value>2780</value>
            </transactionShares>

            <transactionPricePerShare>
                <value>15.25</value>
            </transactionPricePerShare>

            <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                <value>A</value>
            </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
        </transactionAmounts>
        <postTransactionAmounts>

            <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                <value>17657</value>
            </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
        </postTransactionAmounts>
        <ownershipNature>

            <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <value>D</value>
            </directOrIndirectOwnership>
        </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>

        <nonDerivativeTransaction>

        <securityTitle>
            <value>Class A Common Stock, $.001 par value</value>
        </securityTitle>

        <transactionDate>
            <value>2003-11-19</value>
        </transactionDate>
    <transactionCoding>
        <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
        <transactionCode>M</transactionCode>
        <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
    </transactionCoding>
        <transactionAmounts>

            <transactionShares>
                <value>7021</value>
            </transactionShares>

            <transactionPricePerShare>
                <value>14.25</value>
            </transactionPricePerShare>

            <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                <value>A</value>
            </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
        </transactionAmounts>
        <postTransactionAmounts>

            <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                <value>24678</value>
            </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
        </postTransactionAmounts>
        <ownershipNature>

            <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <value>D</value>
            </directOrIndirectOwnership>
        </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>

    </nonDerivativeTable>
    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>

        <securityTitle>
            <value>Options (right to buy)</value>
            <footnoteId id="F1"/>
        </securityTitle>

        <conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <value>7.75</value>
        </conversionOrExercisePrice>

        <transactionDate>
            <value>2003-11-18</value>
        </transactionDate>
    <transactionCoding>
        <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
        <transactionCode>M</transactionCode>
        <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
    </transactionCoding>
        <transactionAmounts>

            <transactionShares>
                <value>20000</value>
            </transactionShares>

            <transactionPricePerShare>
                <value>0.00</value>
            </transactionPricePerShare>

            <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                <value>D</value>
            </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
        </transactionAmounts>

        <exerciseDate>
            <footnoteId id="F2"/>
        </exerciseDate>

        <expirationDate>
            <value>2009-10-19</value>
        </expirationDate>
        <underlyingSecurity>

            <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <value>See Footnote</value>
                <footnoteId id="F5"/>
            </underlyingSecurityTitle>

            <underlyingSecurityShares>
                <value>20000</value>
            </underlyingSecurityShares>
        </underlyingSecurity>
        <postTransactionAmounts>

            <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                <value>20000</value>
            </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
        </postTransactionAmounts>
        <ownershipNature>

            <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <value>D</value>
            </directOrIndirectOwnership>
        </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>

        <derivativeTransaction>

        <securityTitle>
            <value>Options (right to buy)</value>
            <footnoteId id="F1"/>
        </securityTitle>

        <conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <value>15.25</value>
        </conversionOrExercisePrice>

        <transactionDate>
            <value>2003-11-19</value>
        </transactionDate>
    <transactionCoding>
        <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
        <transactionCode>M</transactionCode>
        <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
    </transactionCoding>
        <transactionAmounts>

            <transactionShares>
                <value>2780</value>
            </transactionShares>

            <transactionPricePerShare>
                <value>0.00</value>
            </transactionPricePerShare>

            <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                <value>D</value>
            </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
        </transactionAmounts>

        <exerciseDate>
            <footnoteId id="F3"/>
        </exerciseDate>

        <expirationDate>
            <value>2007-04-28</value>
        </expirationDate>
        <underlyingSecurity>

            <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <value>See Footnote</value>
                <footnoteId id="F5"/>
            </underlyingSecurityTitle>

            <underlyingSecurityShares>
                <value>2780</value>
            </underlyingSecurityShares>
        </underlyingSecurity>
        <postTransactionAmounts>

            <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                <value>37220</value>
            </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
        </postTransactionAmounts>
        <ownershipNature>

            <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <value>D</value>
            </directOrIndirectOwnership>
        </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>

        <derivativeTransaction>

        <securityTitle>
            <value>Options (right to buy)</value>
            <footnoteId id="F1"/>
        </securityTitle>

        <conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <value>14.25</value>
        </conversionOrExercisePrice>

        <transactionDate>
            <value>2003-11-19</value>
        </transactionDate>
    <transactionCoding>
        <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
        <transactionCode>M</transactionCode>
        <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
    </transactionCoding>
        <transactionAmounts>

            <transactionShares>
                <value>7021</value>
            </transactionShares>

            <transactionPricePerShare>
                <value>0.00</value>
            </transactionPricePerShare>

            <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                <value>D</value>
            </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
        </transactionAmounts>

        <exerciseDate>
            <footnoteId id="F4"/>
        </exerciseDate>

        <expirationDate>
            <value>2008-10-14</value>
        </expirationDate>
        <underlyingSecurity>

            <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <value>See Footnote</value>
                <footnoteId id="F5"/>
            </underlyingSecurityTitle>

            <underlyingSecurityShares>
                <value>7021</value>
            </underlyingSecurityShares>
        </underlyingSecurity>
        <postTransactionAmounts>

            <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                <value>52979</value>
            </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
        </postTransactionAmounts>
        <ownershipNature>

            <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <value>D</value>
            </directOrIndirectOwnership>
        </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>

    </derivativeTable>
    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Options to purchase Issuer's Class A common stock, $.001 par value.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">An option to purchase 80,000 shares of the Issuer's common stock, par value
$.001 per share, was issued to the Reporting Person under the Issuer's 1998
Stock Option Plan. One-fifth of such option became exercisable on each of
October 19, 2000, October 19, 2001, October 19, 2002, and October 19, 2003. The
balance of such option becomes exercisable in one-fifth on October 19, 2004.
</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">An option to purchase 40,000 shares of the Issuer's common stock, par value
$.001 per share, was issued to the Reporting Person under the Issuer's 1995
Stock Option Plan. One-fifth of such option became exercisable on each of April
28, 1998, April 28, 1999, April 28, 2000, April 28, 2001 and April 28, 2002.
</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">An option to purchase 60,000 shares of the Issuer's common stock, par value
$.001 per share, was issued to the Reporting Person under the Issuer's 1998
Stock Option Plan. One-fifth of such option became exercisable on each of
October 14, 1999, October 14, 2000, October 14, 2001, October 14, 2002, and
October 14, 2003.
</footnote>
        <footnote id="F5">Class A common stock, $.001 par value.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Ross Anker</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2003-11-20</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----