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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001181431-03-021608.txt : 20030903
<SEC-HEADER>0001181431-03-021608.hdr.sgml : 20030903
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030903161422
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001181431-03-021608
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030902
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030903

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			DONNELLEY R R & SONS CO
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000029669
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	COMMERCIAL PRINTING [2750]
		IRS NUMBER:				361004130
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		77 W WACKER DR
		CITY:			CHICAGO
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60601
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3123268000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		77 W WACKER DRIVE
		CITY:			CHICAGO
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60601

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			THOMAS BIDE L
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001198894

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-04694
		FILM NUMBER:		03879351

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O RR DONNELLY
		STREET 2:		77 WEST WACKER DRIVE
		CITY:			CHICAGO
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60601
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>rrd17641.xml
<DESCRIPTION>SEPTEMBER FORM 4 -- THOMAS
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?><ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType><periodOfReport>2003-09-02</periodOfReport><notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>
    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000029669</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>DONNELLEY R R &amp; SONS CO</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>DNY</issuerTradingSymbol></issuer><reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001198894</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>THOMAS BIDE L</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O MONICA FOHRMAN, SEC, RR DONNELLEY</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>77 WEST WACKER DRIVE</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>CHICAGO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState></rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>60601</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
<isDirector>1</isDirector><isOfficer>0</isOfficer><isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner><isOther>0</isOther></reportingOwnerRelationship></reportingOwner><derivativeTable><derivativeTransaction><securityTitle><value>Phantom Stock</value></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><footnoteId id="F4"/></conversionOrExercisePrice><transactionDate><value>2003-09-02</value></transactionDate><transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType><transactionCode>A</transactionCode><equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved></transactionCoding><transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>25.9710</value></transactionShares><transactionPricePerShare><footnoteId id="F5"/></transactionPricePerShare><transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>A</value></transactionAcquiredDisposedCode></transactionAmounts><exerciseDate><footnoteId id="F1"/></exerciseDate><expirationDate><footnoteId id="F2"/></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common Stock</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyin
gSecurityShares><value>25.9710</value><footnoteId id="F3"/></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>2563.1424</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeTransaction></derivativeTable><footnotes><footnote id="F1">The phantom stock will be settled 100% in cash, payable annually in installments or in a lump sum, after the reporting person ceases to be a director.</footnote><footnote id="F2">The phantom stock will be settled 100% in cash, payable annually in installments or in a lump sum, after the reporting person ceases to be a director.</footnote><footnote id="F3">Common Stock, and rights to purchase Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock attached thereto.</footnote><footnote id="F4">One share of phantom stock is equal to one share of Common Stock.</footnote><footnote id="F5">Dividend accruing 
on phantom stock account also credited in phantom stock.</footnote></footnotes><ownerSignature><signatureName>Jennifer Reiners, pursuant to Power of Attorney</signatureName><signatureDate>2003-09-03</signatureDate></ownerSignature></ownershipDocument>



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</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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