FORM 6-K

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Report of Foreign Private Issuer

Pursuant to Rule 13a - 16 under

the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

ICON 2008 Guidance

ICON plc

 (Registrant’s name)

0-29714

(Commission file number)

South County Business Park, Leopardstown, Dublin 18, Ireland.

(Address of principal executive offices)

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ICON issues financial guidance for 2008 and reaffirms guidance for 2007.

(NASDAQ:ICLR)

Dublin, Ireland, December 19, 2007 – ICON (NASDAQ: ICLR), a global provider of outsourced development services to the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device industries, today announced financial guidance for 2008.

2008 net revenue is expected to be in the range of $750 - $770 million, compared to a range of $615 - $625 million which has already been guided for 2007.

2008 net income per diluted share is forecast to be in the range of $2.27 - $2.36 compared to $1.82 - $1.85 guided for 2007.

The company will hold a conference call today, December 19, 2007 at 09:00 EST [14:00 Ireland & UK]. A question and answer session will follow.

The statements made in this Press Release may contain forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. In addition to the matters described in this Press Release, the ability to maintain large client contracts or enter into new contracts, maintain client relationships and the ability to manage the opening of new offices, the integration of new business mergers and acquisitions, as well as other risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in SEC reports filed by ICON, including its Form 20-F, F-1, S-8 and F-3, may affect the actual results achieved by ICON. ICON disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

The financial information presented herein has been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

ICON plc is a global provider of outsourced development services to the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device industries. The Company specializes in the strategic development, management and analysis of programs that support clinical development - from compound selection to Phase I-IV clinical studies. ICON teams have successfully conducted over 1,900 development projects and over 2,300 consultancy engagements across all major therapeutic areas. ICON currently has approximately 5,600 employees, operating from 67 locations in 35 countries. Further information is available at www.iconplc.com.

Source: ICON plc

Contact : Investor Relations 1-888-381-7923 or

Ciaran Murray CFO + 353 –1-291-2000

Both at ICON.

SIGNATURES

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 thereunto duly authorized.

	ICON plc
Date:  December 19, 2007	Ciaran Murray Chief Financial Officer