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): September 9, 2004


                         THE PEPSI BOTTLING GROUP, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


 Delaware                             1-14893               13-4038356
(State or other jurisdiction        (Commission           (IRS Employer
of incorporation)                   File Number)          Identification No.)

                         One Pepsi Way, Somers, NY 10589
               (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

        Registrant's telephone number, including area code (914) 767-6000

                                      N/A
                                    -------
         (Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)

Check  the  appropriate  box  below  if the  Form  8-K  filing  is  intended  to
simultaneously satisfy the filing  obligation of the registrant under any of the
following provisions:

[]   Written  communications  pursuant to Rule 425 under the  Securities Act
     (17 CFR 230.425)

[]   Soliciting  material  pursuant to Rule 14a-12  under the  Exchange  Act
     (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

[]   Pre-commencement   communications  pursuant  to  Rule  14d-2(b)  under  the
     Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

[]   Pre-commencement   communications  pursuant  to  Rule  13e-4(c)  under  the
     Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))


                       Section 2 - Financial Information

Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

     On September 9, 2004, The Pepsi  Bottling  Group,  Inc.  affirmed its third
quarter 2004  earnings  guidance,  as described in the press  release  furnished
hereto as Exhibit 99.1, which is incorporated herein by reference.

                  Section 9 - Financial Statements and Exhibits

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(a)  Not Applicable.

(b)  Not Applicable.

(c)  Exhibit 99.1 Press release dated September 9, 2004 which is being furnished
     hereto pursuant to Item 2.02.




                                    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 PEPSI BOTTLING GROUP, INC.
                                            (Registrant)
Date: September 9, 2004                 /s/ Steven M. Rapp
      -----------------                     --------------
                                            (Signature)
                                       Steven M. Rapp, Vice President,
                                       Senior Deputy General Counsel and
                                       Assistant Secretary