-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 fEw6mbc9Ripcfp+zVim8lg==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001209191-09-049911.txt : 20091027
<SEC-HEADER>0001209191-09-049911.hdr.sgml : 20091027
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20091027210646
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001209191-09-049911
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20091023
FILED AS OF DATE:		20091027
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20091027

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Lansing Sherry
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001375861

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-04455
		FILM NUMBER:		091140290

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		5775 MOREHOUSE DRIVE
		CITY:			SAN DIEGO
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			92121

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			DOLE FOOD CO INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000018169
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	AGRICULTURE PRODUCTION - CROPS [0100]
		IRS NUMBER:				990035300
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE DOLE DRIVE
		CITY:			WESTLAKE VILLAGE
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			91362
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8188796600

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE DOLE DRIVE
		CITY:			WESTLAKE VILLAGE
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			91362

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	DOLE FOOD COMPANY INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19920703

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	CASTLE & COOKE INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19910731
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>c91518_4x0.xml
<DESCRIPTION>MAIN DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2009-10-23</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000018169</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>DOLE FOOD CO INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>DOLE</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001375861</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Lansing Sherry</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O DOLE FOOD COMPANY, INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>ONE DOLE DRIVE</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>WESTLAKE VILLAGE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>91362</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2009-10-23</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>1000</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>12.50</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable></derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">These shares were acquired pursuant to the reserved share program established in connection with Dole Food Company, Inc.'s initial public offering.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ C. Michael Carter, attorney-in-fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2009-10-27</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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