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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001079028-04-000010.txt : 20040209
<SEC-HEADER>0001079028-04-000010.hdr.sgml : 20040209
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040209154609
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001079028-04-000010
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040205
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040209

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MCDONALD JOHN G
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001111901

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-25393
		FILM NUMBER:		04577935

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		IBM PROFESSOR OF FINANCE
		STREET 2:		20555 STATE HIGHWAY 249
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77070

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		999 THIRD AVE SUITE 2300
		CITY:			SEATTLE
		STATE:			WA
		ZIP:			98104-4096

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			VARIAN INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001079028
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	LABORATORY ANALYTICAL INSTRUMENTS [3826]
		IRS NUMBER:				770501995
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		3120 HANSEN WAY
		CITY:			PALO ALTO
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94304-1030
		BUSINESS PHONE:		650-213-8000
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgardoc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-02-05</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001079028</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>VARIAN INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>VARI</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001111901</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>MCDONALD JOHN G</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>3120 HANSEN WAY</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>PALO ALTO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>94304-1030</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Non-Qualified Stock Option (right to buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>40.95</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-02-05</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>5000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2004-02-05</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2014-02-05</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>5000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>5000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Stock option granted under the Varian, Inc. Omnibus Stock Plan which complies with new Rule 16b-3.  The option fully vests on the grant date.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>By: Arthur W. Homan, Attorney-in-Fact   For: John G. McDonald</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-02-09</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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