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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001104659-04-033364.txt : 20041103
<SEC-HEADER>0001104659-04-033364.hdr.sgml : 20041103
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20041103190226
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001104659-04-033364
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20041101
FILED AS OF DATE:		20041103
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20041103

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			SANDLER DAVID
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001245882

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-14130
		FILM NUMBER:		041117638

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O MSC INDUSTRIAL DIRECT CO INC
		STREET 2:		75 MAXESS RD
		CITY:			MELVILLE
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			11747

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
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>a4.xml
<DESCRIPTION>4
<TEXT>
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                <value></value>
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    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Options (right to buy)</value>
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            </securityTitle>
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            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-11-01</value>
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                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>M</transactionCode>
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                <value></value>
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                <transactionShares>
                    <value>20071</value>
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                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
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                    <value>D</value>
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            <expirationDate>
                <value>2009-10-19</value>
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            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>See Footnote</value>
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                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>19929</value>
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    </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 200,000 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, October 19, 2003 and October 19, 2004.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Class A Common Stock, $.001 par value</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">Because the SEC's electronic filing system does not allow for the disclosure of more than 30 transactions on one Form 4, the Reporting Person is filing 2 simultaneous Form 4's to report his reportable transactions all of which together shall be deemed to a single report filed on this date.  This is the 1st Form 4 of the 2 filings.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ David Sandler</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-11-03</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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